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THE TELEGRAPHER :
^L
Journal of Electrical iromm
VOLUME X.
1874.
\U
\
vo
RUSSELLS' AMERICAN STEAM PRINTLWG HOUSE, 17, 19, 21, 23 ROSE STREET.
Humanities
INDEX TO VOLUME X.
EDITORIAL.
Appointment of II. H. Ward, Secretary and Treasurer of
tlie Gold and Stock Telegraph Co 11
An Old Friend in a New Dress 11
Arguments in Favor of and Against Telegraphic Monop-
Another Atlantic Cable Telegraph Company Proposed. ... 41
An Excellent Appointment— L'. N. Jacobs 42
American Fire Alarm Telegraph, The 42. 95, 239
An Enterprising Firm ,' 47
An Unwise Policy 52
An Excess of Telegraphic Labor 58
Annual Announcement of Packard's Business College 65
Automatic Signal Telegraph, The 77
Advertising Patronage" of The Telegrapher 83
Another Atlantic Telegraph Cable Interruption 94
Alliance between the Western Union and American Dis-
trict Telegraph Co.'s 100
A Sad Affliction : 106
Agents for The Telegrapher .* 107
Automatic Telegraph Company, The , 125
Arrival of President Orton '. 130
A Liberal Response 130
An Error Corrected 130
Another Atlantic Cable Completed 167
Automatic Telegraphic Inventions 178
Automatic 196
American Electrical Society, The 233, 250, 256, 263
Automatic Telegraphy not Inimical to the Interests of the
Telegraphic Fraternity 280
Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Company, Executive
Changes ] 287
Approaching Session of Congress, The 287
A Journalistic Nuisance 287
American District Telegraph Company Volunteers 287
Annates Teleg rupliiqiies 299
American Journal of Science and Arts 299
A Reform Needed in our Patent Laws 305
Active Telegraphic Competition Probable 310
Bliss, George H. <fc Co.'s Telegraphic Manual ". 53
Brooks' Insulators 65
Bliss, George H. & Co J 89
Business and Telegraphic Prospects [ 250
Consolidation and Telegraphic Competition . ./. 16
Congress and the Postmaster General J 17
Chance for a Little Civil Service Reform 23
Conspiracy to Oppress Teiegraph Employes. A Real Griev-
Claims of the Page Patent, The
Congress and the Patent Office
Correspondence of The Telegrapher, The 8;
Currency Inflation Question, The, and Telegraphic Pros-
pects I.
Congress, Inflation and the Telegraph
Congress and the Telegraph
Completion of the Europo-Brazilian Cable
Oincinnati Industrial Exposition of 1874, Tha 166,
Chance for Inventors, A
Cable Telegraph Enterprises '
Congress aud the Postal Telegraph
Change of Location and Business
Chester's. New and Superior Register aim Relays
Champion Burglar Alarm and Annunciator
Close of the Tenth Volume of The Tejegrapper . .
Comparative Cost of Telegraphic Systems
Death of Prof. De La Bive
Discouraging Experience of a Friend of The Tele-
grapher
Destructive Sket Storm. A
Dominion Telegraph Co., The ....
Deficiency in the Postal Revenues, The .-
Dull Business Season, A
Defective Postal Arrangements !'.!!!'...!!!!!
Dsiioion ot Judge Dnimmond 1 he
Direct United States Cable, The '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. 1 91 ', 269,
Deserved Promotion and Excellent Appointment
Departure for California of Dr. L. Bradley
Direct United States Cable Fleet, Tie.
psctllC Watt h Clocks and Dials.,! . .
Elementary Principles of Electrical Measurement
Editor and Telegrapher in Luck. Ai
Extension of the Telegraph in Ceftial and South America
Encouraging Telegraph Prospects
Effective Way to Do It, The {
Encouraging 7
Edison and Prsacott Organs, i/;. and P-ist Systems cf
telegraphy
Excellent and Successful Telegriphic Management and ihe
Result I
Eleventh Volume of Tin: Telegrapher, The'.'.'. '. .'.' '.' ' ' '.'.
Financial Utopia, The, How it is Likely to Affect Tele-
graphic Interests ,
Farce Played Out, The " '.'.'.'
Fourth of July, 1776 and 1874. Progress and Improvement
in.: the U. ',•_, became a Nation
failures to Receive The Telegrapher Regularly
Friendly Talk with our Readers ami Correspondents, A .
Fnsnalg and Complimentary
fain/ Elestris Eu-m: the °
Cray's Telephone
Gold and Stock Telegraph System to be introduced 'in
Canada
Getting Up a Newspaper Under Difficulties!! !.!!!! ........
liubbard Telegraph Monopoly, The
Hubbard Bill. The, Reported in the Senate .
Hale, Hon. Eugene, Declines the Office of Postmaster
General
Holiday Set!::::. II::.
International Free Kxhibilion of Arts and Manufacture's
Impecunious Telegraphers... .
Industrial Monthly, The '.'.'.'.'..'.'.'"
toternatian.il Bsviiw Fhs
Illustrated Annual of Phrenology and Physiognomy Tlie
Important to Telegraph Instrument Makers =
Improvement in the Offices Provided for Telegraph Bii i
ness, The
Illness of Mr. F. L. Pope 118
Interests of The Telegrapher, The 119
Improvement in Business and Telegraphic Prospects,
The 148
Inducements to Engage In, and Objections to Telegraphic
Service '." . 242
Indications of Renewed Prosperity to Telegraph Interests. 298
Justice to Military Telegraph Employes 246
Largest Piece and Largest Coil of Telegraph Wire in the
W.
Lightning and Thunder All Around 142
Lightning and Lightning Arresters 167
Lightning Rods and the Protection of Buildings from
Lightning 214
Laying of the New Cable. Reports of Direct Cable being
Sold to the Anglo-American Teleg. Co 215
Liberal Contribution to Reserve Fund T. M. B. Asso-
ciation 287
Literatim
311
Migratory Proclivities of Telegraphers, The 53
More Startling Inventions for Rapid Telegraphing 172
Marvellous Character and Achievements of the Electric
Telegraph *. 226
Marine Telegraph Bill of Canada, The 227
Metallic or Lead Battery, The 280,299
New Year aud the New Volume of The Telegrapher,
The 4
New Volume of The Telegrapher, The 34
New Feature, A 53
New Style of Telegraphic Journalism, A 65
New Atlantic Cables, The 106, 113, 136, 185, 221
New Uniform of the A. and P. and Franklin Messengers. . . 112
New Telegraph Cables in Progress and Proposed 124
New Compulsory Education Law, The, and the Telegraph
Messengers 124
New Telegraphic Establishment, A 137
Necessity for a More Thorough Education of Telegraph
Operators : 190
New Telegraph Line to Sandy Hook, The 221
New Law in Regard to Postage on Newspapers, The 280
New Postmaster General and the Telegraphs, The 280
Not Exactly the Fair Thing ... 298
Operator The 71
One more Unfortunate 89
Our hew Advertisements 280
Our Washington Correspondence 293'
Postmaster General and the Western Union Telegraph Co.,
The 4
Postmaster General and Mr. Orton on Automatic Telegra-
phy, The 10
Patent Insulated Telegraph Wires 17
Public Ledger A'manac, The 18
Page Patent Litigation, The 28, 47. 53, 262
Prospects for Telegraph Business, The 52
Present Condition of Telegraphs, Telegraphers and Tele-
graphic Service, The
Popularization of Cable Telegraphy
President Orton Gone Abroad
Presentation to Mr. S. C. Rice, of Albany, N. Y
Proposition for a Society of Electricians and Telegraph
Engineers, The •.
Personal Talk with ur Readers, A
Progress of the New Lines of the A. and P. Telegraph Com-
pany
Pope, F. L. & Co. , and their Specialties
Policy, Creed and Practice of The Telegrapher, The
Proposed New Electrical Association, The
Put Your Telegraph Lines in Order for the Winter
Phillips' Insulated Wires
Premium Awarded to the Brooks Insulator
President Orion's Annual Report to the W. U. Stockhold-
64
94
112
118
161
161
228
244'
245
251
251
President Orton's Reports to the Directors of the W. U.
Telegraph ( lompany
Quick Cable Telegraphing . \.
Cu-ct Al::ng the Iinsa
Railroad Telegraphers and The Telegrapher, The. .!!...
Rumors of Future Telegraphic Combinations. How a Con-
solidated Opposition may be Profitably Managed
Recent Test of the Automatic Telegraph System, The
Rapid Increase and Extension of Cable Telegraph Lines. . .
Railroad Telegraphs
Riturn cf Fresidint Orton
Resignation of Mr. II. L. Hotchkiss ! !!...!!!!!!!!
Ksl.ii :tiai of I .slniaster Gj.ntral-
Resignation and Appointment of Superintendent N. Y. Fire
Alarm Telegraph
Rumored Sale of Rival Telegraph Lines to the VV. I . Co! !
Reminiscences
iivt of Albany, N. Y., Fire Alarm
Resignation and Appi
Telegraph
Resignation and Appi
District Telegri
262
311
41
208
40
41
70
82
125
125
160
173
226
233
239
lintment of Superintendent American
ph Co
Resignation of a Popular Telegraph Superintendent
Social and Professional Status of Telegraph Operators in
this < lountry and Europe
Success of The TELEGRAPHER, The .'
Speculation in Western Union Telegraph Stock
Seasonable Suggest ions
Snapper Sounder, The
Some Reflections on the Different Characteristics of Tele
graphers
Swindling Tricks of Telegraph Colleges and Certain Tele
graphers
See| i,„, ,,r the New Allinitic Cable Laid, A !....
Season ami ii ■ Consequences, The
Suspension of the Switch
Safety Of Ihe Cable Sleainslilp Faraday
Summer Passing Away Experience and Prospects
Seasonable Considerations
Steamer Faraday not heard from
Success and Failure in Telegraph Cable Laj illg
The Telegrapher in Canada ,
Telegraphic Positions on Central and South American
Line- 17
True Worth 23
Telegraph Poles 23
Telegraph Invention and Inventors
Telegraph Messengers in Uniform
Telegraphic Projects at Home and Abroad
Telegraphers' Mutual Benefit Association
Tillotson and Co. on Hand
Telegraph Lines in Cities
7 lie Plu//
The Weather and the Telegraphs
Telegraph Instrument Manufacturing Business, The
Termination of the Contract between the U. P. R. R. and
W. U. Teleg. Co.'s
Telegraphy and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. . . .
Telegraphic Science in India
The Telegraph in Wall Str- et
Telegraphic Enterprise of the English and American Press
The Volume Halt Completed
Te egraphic Reunion
Tillotson and Co. as Advertisers.
Telegraphic Journalism : its Failures and Successes
Telegraphic Rumors and Fancies
The Telegrapher in Texas
The W. U. Telegraphic Journal and Duplex Telegraphic
Inventions . .
Telegraphic Inventions and Inventors and The Tele-
grapher
Telegraph Lines in the Streets of Cities
Telegraphic Insurance Agent, A
The "Telegraphic Situation
The Oracle Dumb
To Subscribers and Friends of The Telegrapher
Telegraphic Inventions and Inventors and W. U. Officials.
Telegraphic Journalism
The Con undrum Evidently too Difficult
Too Many Telegraph Students Taught
Telegraph Business Improving
To the Friends of The Telegrapher
The " Organ " Business
Tillotson, L. G. and Co
Tillotson and Co.'s Philadelphia Establishment
Telegraphic Construction and Management in the United
States
Telegraphic. Prospects Brightening
The Telegraph r and Automatic Telegraphy
LTnpr titableness of Government Telegraphs
Valuable Contribution, A
Very Pretty Project, A
Valuable Contributions
Value of Telegraphic Protection against Conflagrations . ..
Watts & Co.'s New Catalogue
Western Electric Manufacturing Co., The
Work of the Patent Office for 1»73.— Proposed Reforms in
its Organization
Western LTnion Dividend, The
Wheatstone Automatic and the Western Uniou Telegraph
Company, The
Was he a Pioneer Line Constructor
What Causes the Excitement
Western Union Telegraph Co., The
Why we Criticise and Condemn
34
35
58
65
83
100
100
106
112
113
113
136
142
148
154
160
161
166
172
172
179
184
185
1H0
191
196
196
202
203
203
209
232
233
551
262
271
299
304
112
6
17
71
100
17
29
46
136
191
196
214
244
245
ORIGINAL, ARTICLES.
All About Us 25
A Bashful Telegrapher's Mortifying Mistake 121
A Duplex Review of the English and American Systems of
Automatic Telegraphy '. 163
Anders' Magneto-Printing Telegraph Instrument 211
A Cry from Macedonia. 271
American Electro-Chemical (Automatic) Telegraph System
and Construction 283
Automatic versus the Morse System of Telegraphy 307
Bridge ve?'sus the Differential Duplex, The 37
Bad Medicine 133
Bill Body's Recollections
Bear's Principle of Balancing Batteries.
Criticism of tin
the W I '
Cap. De Costa.
( lallaghan
( 'hrracteristics
Annual Report o I' the A. & P. Telg. Co. by
i -flicial Organ
>f Tele
. 115, 170
290
it Telegraphers and Condition
graphic Service
Death
Duplex Telegraphy, New System of
Duplex Telegraphy.— A Combination of the Bridge and Dil
I'erenlial Systems
Elementary Principles of Electrical Measurement
79
188
2U5
283
44
157
175
. 1, 13,25,43,
67, 97, 127
157
Earth Currents
Ferg MeOlevcrly 205
Fourth Cincinnati Industrial Exposition, The 248
Ureal Telegraphic Suit in Prospect, A 7
Ghost of Telegraphica,. The H
Great American Telegraph Traveller, The 283
How Two of the Boys got Taken In 199
Honesty of '. outhful Writers, The 199
How an Electrician got a Urst class Lightning Rod cheap. 801
Improvement in Telegraph Line Construction, Theories
and Practical Results in the Past 187
Industrial Exhibitions. Their Uses and Abuses, Adyan
tages and Defects 323
Jottings Here and There' 189
.lack Allison 283
Little Tip MeCloskcy 61
Later Telegraphic Experiences 103
Laws of Derived Circuits, The 168
Little's Condenser Rheostat 175
M.civu Brother of Hob's 339
Mystery of Electrical Communications, The 341
\eu Baltimore, Md., Western Union Office, The. 115
Necessity tor a More Thorough Training and Education of
Telegraphers '. 198
New Printing Telegraph Line 217
New, Cincinnati, O., western Union Office, The 259
New Yorker I >u West, A 260
i ihi Jim Lawle 53
Old and New American Telegraph Systems 217
Wh2
INDEX
Organization, Constitution and By-Laws of the American
Electrical Society
Posie Van Dusen
Pip! Poor Pip!
Proceedings Chicago, 111., Dist. T. M. B. Association
Reply to Mr. Orton in Regard to Automatic Telegraphy . . .
Review of Modern Telegraphy
Reddy MeGuire
Retrospective and Otherwise
Telegraphic Lays i ■
Telegraphs and Telegraphers of a Quarter of a Century
Ago
Testing Leaky Lines for Insulation and Conductivity
Telegraphers who Disgrace the Profession, The
That Little Bill
Telegraphic Ability, Natural and Acquired
Telegraph Gossip
The Dutch have taken Holland
Telegraphic Inventions, Old and New
Thrown Overboard Like Jonah
The Telegraph Cable Operators
Telegraphing as a Government Institution
Tom Larkius, the Messenger
CORRESPONDENCE.
A reply to the Offl-
A Response to Nettie Bronson
Another Problem
Automatic and Morse Telegraphy
cial Journal
A Telegraphic Union the One Thing Needed
An Oregon Telegrapher's Trip
A Defence of the Telegraphic Fraternity
A Matrimonial Failing
A Correction
A Telegraphic Organization Essential
A Scientific and Practical Problem
Agitator Snubbed
An Admirer of Nettie Bronson '
A Solution of " Ohm Catcher's " Problem
A Problem for Mr. C. II. Haskins
Another Telegraphic Paper Wanted
A Telegrapher who Proposes to Act as well as Write
Action for a Telegraphic Association Demanded.,
A Bill to Regulate Telegraph Charges. Military Telegraph
Line
A Telegraph Pickle Factory
Another Telegrapher in Earnest
An American Society of Electrical and Telegraphic Engi-
neers Proposed
A Plan for Organizing a Telegraphers' Association
A Practical Basis fur a Telegraphers' Association
American District Telegraph Company
An Electric Surprise. A Confirmed Telegraphic Rascal . . .
A Hull and its Pecuniary Consequences
A Lady who Tolerates the Use of Tobacco
A Bull and an Atrocious Pun
Automatic Telegraphy
America! Its Universal System of Automatic Telegraphy.
A Reply to Mr. Howe
Action of Washington, D. C, W. U. Employes on Death of
James T. McCook ....'.
A New Way to Spell "Cow."
Automatic, Duplex and Quadruplex j
A Frightened Telegrapher
A Reply to Journalistic Criticism
A Telegrapher Sold
Automatic Telegraphy ...
Action of Chicago Members T. M. B. Association. Sugges-
tions ."
Are Brooks Insulators Liable to Damage from Lightning?
An Organ Grinder Badly Sold
Advantages of T. M. B. Association. A New and Superior
Relay
An Excursion of Telegraphers. Their Tribulations and
Adventures
A '■ Little " Too Much
A Night Operator on the C. P. R. R. Promoted to an
Agency
An Electrical Conversazione
Adjournment of Congress for the Holidays. Scare at the
Capitol, etc ;
Automatic Telegraphy and Legal Proceedings
Bounty Land Warrants to Army Telegraphers
Bullock, A
Bear's Duplex Telegraph System
Brooks Insulators not Liable to be Damaged by Lightning.
Brief Summary of Events in Nebraska .".
Bear Rises to Explain Again
Bereaved Telegraphic Artists
Bear on Verbal Jugglery ....
Consolidation of Com pet in
Safety
Congress and the Telegrapl
Telegraph Lines the
3
3
8
9
32
39
44
45
62
03
63
5-87
SO
81
ST
87
93
93
99
99
105
111
111
128
129
147
153
171
177
182
183
189
195
195
21S
230
231
242
243
249
290
297
297
308
309
309
33
39
181
236
261
261
285
297
20, 27. 32. 39. 56. 93, 105.
...123, 134.
Character, Disposition and Ability of manv Telegraph and
R. R. Officials
Character and Habits of Telegraph Operators . ..
Country vs. City Telegraph Operators *...
Claims of the Page Patent, The
Closing Services of the P. and A ( IhicagO Office. Location
of the late Employes
Claims of Military Telegraph Operators to Bounty Lands. .
Causes Tending to Control Compensation to Telegraph
Operators , ,
Closing Days of the P. and A. Telegraph Co. at Pittsburg,
Changes in Philadelphia Consequent on Demise of P. & A.
. Telegraph Co
Correction of Personal ".'.'.'
Consolidation of Competing Companies Practical and Ad-
visable
Cheap and Convenient Appliance. A. '. ". ................
Ciiiauian ltlegraphs and 'i'elegr ipheir, 1 lit.
Calilomia Personals
d of the Ante
and Morse
> Teh
Telej
graphic Inventors
raph Co, Heard Fron
Proceedings
Comparative Actual Sj
Systems
Common Sense Suggestions U
Colusa Lake and Mendocino
The
Cable Telegraphy
Chicago T. M. B. Associatior
Electrical Society
Coil for a Sine Galvanometer
Duplex Telegraph, The . .
Death of Charles F. Simmons
Don't Want Him !........[.]...
Defence of Tobacco and Tobacco Smoking Telegrapher
Discoveries and Proa-ess in Electricel Science . . . .
Duplex Telegraphy
Double Duplex and Quadruplex Telegraph '.
Duplex Review Reviewed, The 200
Departure of Mr. Albert L. Baker. A Case in Point 278
D. L. and W. Railway (Boonton Branch) Telegraphers 285
Exit of the Pacific and Atlantic Telegraph Co 3
Experience of a Young Telegrapher 69
Experience of a Telegraph College Student 81
Erie Railway Telegraph Department, The 86
Erroneous Formula for Testing Telegraph Lines for Mile-
age Insulation Resistance 123
Electric Protection for Express Cars on Railroads 135, 141
Electromotograph, The. A New Discovery in Telegraphy
and My Duplex Review 212
Excellent Arrangement of W. U. Lilies in Cincinnati 249
Electrical Puzzles the Thing Demanded 309
Fate of the Pittsburg, Pa., P. and A. Employes 51
Franklin Line Telegraphers at the Capitol, The 57
Fast Telegraphy. The W. U. Co. Coming in 188
First Crucial Test of the American Automatic System 189
Fast Telegraphy and the Interests of the Telegraphic Fra-
ternity 285
Good Counsel to the Telegraphic Fraternity ... 45
Ghosts and Gunpowder 194
G. R. and I. R. M. Telegraph, The 237
General and Recapitulatory _ 309
How the Western Union Co. Encourage Inventors 3
How the Difficulty of a Sticking Key may be Avoided 15
How Two R. R. Telegraph Superintendents Conspired to
Fleece a Victim 33
HJavv Sleet Storm. A Telegraph Line Man Treed by a
Mule 45
How a Short Line may be Made to Work with more
Strength 183
How Some Things are Done in the U. S. Patent Office 195
Indifference of Telegraph Operators to their own Interests. 20
Importance of the Telegraph to Railroads and Insufficient
Compensation of R. R. Telegraph Operators 27
Inspection of the Arizona Military Telegraph Line 33
Imperial Telegraph Operator, An 57
In He Plugs 93
Invention and Inventors of Automatic Telegraphy, The. . . 201
Inter-State Exposition Chicago. Telegraphic News and
Notions..' 225
Information for the '"Organ' 1 Upon Duplex Telegraphy... 237
In ■the Wilds of Jersey 243, 249
Justice to Military Telegraph Operators 54
Line Repairing Adventure in Oregon 261
More Reminiscences 8
Matrimonial Epidemic among the Oregon Telegraphers 153
Morality of Using Tobacco, The A Defence of the Tele-
graphic Fraternity 165
Mobile and Ohio R. R. Telegraph. The 273
Northwestern and Northern Pacific Telegraph 35
Nettie Bronson and The Telegbapheb Correspondents.. . 63
Not Talk but Action Needed 75
New Baltimore, Md., W. tJ. Office. Telegraphic Matters of
Interest 117
Necessity for Telegraphers' Association 183
Nl w Telegraph Projects in Oregon 194
No Telegraphic Apparatus Shown at Chicago Inter-State
Exposition and Why '. 237
New Boston, Mass.. Western Office 267
New Plug Factory Started, A. Probable reduction of Sal-
aries 303
Obligation of Telegraph Companies and their Employes. . . 57
On a Telegraphers" Union * 69
On Behalf of The Telegrapher 75
On Working Wires of Different Resistances from a Single
Battery 8G, 92
On What Shall a Telegraphic Union be Based? 99
Out West 128
Origin of the Term " Plug" 159
Origin of Popu ar Terms. When does an Operator cease to
be a Plug:' 171
Origin of the Telegraph Signal " O. K." 177
One of my Electro-Chemical Problems 201
Plugs, not Female Operators, Objectionable S
Practical Suggestions 21
Peculiar Characteristics of Different Operators 27
Presentation to Mr. E. P. Adams 39
Pian for a Telegraphic Union 81
Practical Sympathy with Tin; Telegrapher 87
Proposed Society of i-Electricians and Engineers, The
"ill, 122, 129, 231
Proposed Telegraphic Association, The 117
Perkins' Plan for a Union Approved. Practical Suggestions 117
Promotion of a (irand Trunk R. R. Train Dispatcher 148
Paters n, N. J., Operators 255, 273, 279
Practical Advice 273
Prompt Telegraphing _ 29ti
Pursuit of Pleasure under Difficulties. The 29'
Quantity and Intensity .20
Qu druple Transmission by the Morse Telegraph System. . 171
Remedy for a Sticking Key, The 27
Resignation of Mr. John F. Hibbard * 51
Resignation of, and Presentation to Mr. James S. Urqiihart 117
Railway Telegrapher ( 'owhided, A 231
Reply to Journal of the Telegraph Criticisms on Bear's
Duplex 242
Setting up the Oravity Battery 15
Solution of Problem 15
Supply and Demand 27
Snapper Sounder, The .-. . 57
Suggestions to Telsgraphic Employes 68
••Soother." Sooth Thyself 69
Suggestions for a Telegraphic .Organization 81
Solution of a Problem 87
Slaughter of an American Telegrapher by Australian Sav-
ages, The " in
Seasonable Mention and a Sensible Suggestion 117
Slow Telegraph Repair Steamer, A 135
Secrecy of Government Telegrams Secured by Use of Auto-
matic Telegraph ' 141
Some Bulls— by the Perpetrator 183
Something about the Lake Superior Region and its Tele-
graphers ' 207
Status and Condition of the Railroad Telegraph Service . 219
Suggestions for Old Probabilities ;.. 225
Successful Working Of the Quadruplex. Good Time in
the President's Messag .—Reduction of Salaries, etc. 303
Telegraphers Better than they are Represented 2
The Bible and the Invention of the Telegraph 3
Telegraphers' Unions Impracticable, and Why. Reduc-
tion of Salaries and Official Holiday Greetings 9
Telegraphic Progress in Northern Michigan \\ 15
Transmission ot the President's Message, The 21
Telegraphers Unjustly Accused arid Characterized. . 21
Telegraph Matters in OreOon 27
Topics 5f G enc.i al Telegraphic Interest Diseased %-
Telegraphers not so Bad as Represented 33
Idt^raphic c: clients Aam ~0
Telegi aphs and Telegraphers of Washington Territory. . . . 63
U.
Testing Lines for Insulation Resistance
The Telegraph College Humbug. . .-.
Telegraphers' Association
Telegraph Affairs in the South
Telegraphers' Convention Proposed
Telegraphic Improvements in Oregon
Telegraphic Matters in Central America
The Telegrapher in Boston. Removal of the W,
Office, etc
Telegraphic Matters in Washington, D. C. . ..............
Telegraphic Bulls and Personals
Tub Telegrapher and the Official Organ
Telegraph Train Orders and Reports
Telegraph Schools and their Victims
Telegraphic Journalism Criticised
Telegraphic Journalism ,
The Official Organ's Criticism of Blair Duplex Criticised. . .
The Telegraph College Humbug Again
Telegraphs and Railroads in Oregon. Resignation of Supt.
Plummer
Telegraphic Bull
The Plug and Nihil Nameless
Telegraphs' and Telegraphers in Chicago. The Quadru-
plex, etc ...
The Other Side
Urgent Necessity for a Telegraphic Organization, The
Use of Tobacco and Intoxicating Liquors Condemned
Use of Tobacco, The
Value and Importance of The Telegrapher. An Opera-
tor Sold
Ville du Havre Disaster, The
Western Union Co. vs. the Poor Inventor, The
Why we should Support The Telegrapher ,
Well Informed Telegraphic Artists
What the Objects arid Purposes of a Telegraph Association
should lie ,
Wanted— A Dictionary
West Wisconsin Railway Telegraphers, The
Western 1 'nion and Quadruple Transmission, The
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.
68
69
81
87
9:;
111
122
123
165
165
183
183
-194
201
207'
213
243
254
255
266
296
303
99
9
69
69
98
153
2iy
Anonymous 99
An Interested Brother 195
An Operator. . 195
B. F. Spear, San Francisco,
Cal 74
Country Plng..\ 87
C \ 195
G. E. C \ 9
L. E. M., Charleston 219
New England Operator... 67
Occasional 3
Railroad Operator 87
Silver State 39
S. McNider 99
Trip 45
POETRY.
A Psalm of (the '(telegrapher's) Life 87'
An Operator's Musings 43
A Retrospect \ 231
; owney's Lament. 151
J oe S . nders 265
My Last "73" .- 235
The Craven 55
The Last Message 171
THE TELEGRAPH.
Pacific Telegraph Co..
42, 54, 130, 162, 257',
Annual Meeting of the Atlantic a
American District Telegraph, Th
Anglo-American Telegraph, The
Annual Report of the' A. and P. Telg. Co. for 1873
Additions to the A. and P. Lines
Anglo-American 1866 Cable Interrupted
Anglo- American 1866 Cable Repaired, The
Arrival of the 1". S. Steamer, Tnscarora ,
Astoria Telegraph Lint-
Annual Meeting of theGold and Stock Telg. Co
Arrival of Direct U. S. Cable Operators
Annual Report of the west, of the W. U. Telegraph Co
Animal Meeting of the W. U. Telg. Co
Atlantic and Pacific Telg. Line from Chicago to Omaha,
The
An Offer to Lease the Franklin Telg. Lines
American Fire Alarm Telegraph in Pawtucket, R. I., The..
Accident to a Cable 1
Annual Meeting of the Southern and Atlantic Telegraph
Annual Meeting of the Mlinhattan Quotation Company. . ..
Brazilian Telegraph, The. Celebration of Completion of
theLine 1.
Bold Forgery of an Official Announcement of Increase of
Western Union Stock
Brazilian Naval Aid to Cable Enterprise
British Postal Telegraph Service, The
Brazilian Telegraph, The 173,
British Postal 'Telegraph, Tie
British Gov't has no Intention of Purchasing Ocean Telg.
Concession for a Telegraph Cable between Pern and Chili.
Cable Steamer Adrift, A
( 'able Communication between Jamaica and Porto Rico. . .
Cable Communication Restored
Contract tor the Panama and Hayti Cable, The
Cuba Submarine Telegraph, Tie 89, 92,
Change of Managers of San Frincisco, Cal., W. U. Office.. .
Contract for Alliance and Co-operation between the W. U.
and Am. District Cos
Contract between the U. P. R, R. and W. I'. Telg. Co. to
be Terminated .
Cuba Cable, The
Completion of the Brazilian ( table
Congratulations on Anglo-Brajzilian Cable . . . ".
Congratulations between Emperor Brazil and Pres. United
States on Completion Anglo-Brazilian Cable
( able Steamship Faraday at Portsmouth, X. H., The
( 'able Steamers Faraday and Ambassador, The
( iongrat illations
Competition in Telegraphic Marine News
Complimentary
Central American Telegraphs. The
Consolidation of the A. arid P. and Franklin Lines
Canadian Pacific Telegraph Line, The
Decision of the Postmaster General in Regard to Gov't
Messages -.
Dominion Telegraph Co., The. Annual Meeting
Dominican and Martinique Cable Reopened', The
Direct United States Cable being Shipped
Dangerous Illness of Air. Charles II. Mixer
Duplex System on Long Submarine Cables, The 173,
Direct United Slates Cable, The 125, 221, 257,
Dominion Telegraph Co. of Canada. The 228,
Direct United States < 'able Reports from the Faraday. . .
Daily Line Tests in England
Election of Officers of the Southern and Atlantic Telg. Co.
29
281
54
59
83
95
173
215
228
23J
239
247 ■
251
251
281
281
293
299
299
48
54
104
208
209
83
235
101
119
149
161
161
173
179
203
238
234
239
275
275
104
125
20::
263
275
287'
309
INDEX
B
Exit the Pacific and Atlantic Telg. Co. ■••••.••• ■ •• •
Electric Telegraph on the Gold Coast of Africa, The. . . ....
Enlargement and Improvement of Indianapolis, Ind, W.
U. Office
Electric Railroad Crossing Alarm .........
Electrical Construction and Maintenance Co., of San Fran-
cisco ■■■■ ■ ■•■■
Extension of the Southern and Atlantic 1 elegraph Lines..
Extension of Telegraphy, The
Extension of the A. & P. Telg. to Long Branch, N. J
Europo-Brazilian Cable Completed, The
Economy of Good Insulation, The
Election of Officers Western Union Telg. Co
Extension of the Gold and Stock Telg. Lines • .
Foreign Telegraphic Notes, 12, 29, 36, 42, 48, 54, 59, 66. i2, .8,
83, 89, 101 107, 113, 119, 131, 137, 143, 149. 155, 102, 167,
173 179, 185, 197, 203, 209, 215, 222, 233, 239, 249, 25, ,
' ' ' ' ' 263, 269, 275, 281 , 293, 300, 306, 312
Facilities for Direct United States Cable 215
Faraday Not Heard From, The f&
Faraday to Sail in Search of the Broken Cable, 1 he 246
Fire Alarm Telg. on the C. P. R. R., The ............. m
Fault Discovered in the Direct Cable, A.— lne Cable -_
Buoyed • • ■ •••••, • • ■ ■ / • • ■
First Snow Storm of the Season.— City Telegraph Lines
Demoralized : iT'V
Galvanometrical Measurement of the Resistance of Insula-
t rtva 95, 10i, 110
197
GoldVid'stock 'Telegraph Co.,' The -239
257
257
300
24
107
221
246
273
155
1-75
179
185
192
Telegraphic Communication with Foreign Countries 131
Telegraphic Conference
Telegraphs in Mexico ■ ■ ■
Telegraphic Communication between the. Courts and Law-
yers' Offices
Telegraphic System in the Island of Cuba, The
The Telegraph of the Reading Railroad Co
Telegraphic Communication^with Uraguay . . . _ 197
200
2 ir,
246
246
257
257
263
271
275
281
294
312
59
246
311
Globe Telegraph and Trust Co., The
Gold and Stock Telegraph
Great Telegraphic Feat, A
Heavy Gale and Telegraphic Interruption
Highest Telegraph Station in the World, The
Irregularities of the West India and Panama Cable
Interruption of the Cuba Cable of 1873 • . .
Interruption of Telegraphic Communication with Europe.
International Telegraph Conference, The
Improvement in Military Telegraphy
Inc.ease of Telegraph Lines in Russia 27o
Important Action of the Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Co. 299
Kansas City Metropolitan Telegraph Co., The 72
Kite Tails and Telegraph Wires 308
Launch of the Cable Steamer Faraday 54
Landing of the Shore End Direct IT. S. Cable.— Scenes and
Incidents l£jj
Laying the Direct United States Cable 228
La Plata Telegraph Cable Cut, The 262
Lease of the Franklin Lines to the A. & P. Telg. Co 293
" La Plata '" Disaster, The 299
Lease of Lines of Franklin Co. to the A. & P. Telg. Co.
Confirmed 399
I"."" 149
' 167
Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Co., The
The Telegraph in Queensland, Australia
Telegraphing from Stenographic Notes
Telegraph for New York Court House, A
The Telegraph in the United States Army
Telegraphic Communication Facilitated in Turkey
Telegraph Instruments on Trains
The Telegraph between Great Britain and Ireland
The Telegraphs of the Argentine Republic
Telegr.iph in Australia, The
Telegraphing Extraordinary
Train Telegraph Instruments on Lake Shore Road
Telegraph in Switzerland, The
Untimely Demise of the Light Cable Co
Unsuccessful Termination of the Direct Cable Expedition
United States Direct Cable, The
Visit of Supt. Gamble to San Diego, Cal INI
Violent Gale on the British Coast, and Interruption of
Telegraphic Communication 299
West India and Panama Telegraph 2, 18, 35, 141
27 275
Western and Brazilian Telegraph Co., The —
West India Telegraph, The
Western Union Chicago Office, The
Wreck of Cable Steamer and Delay of Telegraphic Com-
munication in South America ■
What Does this Mean ':
Why the Wires Wouldn't Work
Western Union Telegraph Company— Report of President
Orton
222
239
306
311
Mexican Telegraphs, The
Model Telegraph Line, A
M issing Cable Steamer Faraday, The
Merchants' Exchange News Room and the W. U. Telg.
Co., The -
Marine Telegraph Fight, The
More Trouble about the Lease of the Franklin Teleg. Lines
Marine News Department of the Gold and Stock Telegraph
Co
Notice of Annual Meeting of A. $ P. Telegraph Oo 6
New Cable Submerged between Jamaica and Porto Rico. . . 29
New Western Union Office at Cincinnati, A 59
New Direct United States Cable, The .' 77
New Philadelphia, Pa., Office of the P. R. & P. Telegraph
Company •• 107
New Atlantic Telegraph Cable, The 113, 131, 137, 209, 215
New City Office of the A. & P. and Franklin Telegraph Cos 113
New Western Union Office in Baltimore, Md . . 113
New Telegraph Line of the Great Southern Railway The. 125
New Atlantic Cable. Arrival of the Faraday at Ports-
mouth, X. H 143
New Western Union Telegr 'ph Building, The 143
New Atlantic Cable and A. & P. and Franklin Telegraph
Cos., The 161
New Anglo-American Cable Completed. The 167
New Telegraphic Line in Japan 215
No Later News of the Faraday 239
New Telegraph Line, A 239
New Sandy Hook Telegraph Line, The 257
New Washington, D. C, Police Telegraph Lines 269
New Police and Fire Telegraph Lines in Brooklyn, N. Y . . 293
New Western Union Building, The _ 295
New Zealand Telegraphy 296
Near Completion of the Southern and Atlantic Lines to
New Orleans 311
New Sandy Hook Telegraph Line, The . . , 311
Owl Telegraph Company, The 293
Practical Test of the Automatic Telegraph System, The — 35
Progress of the Southern and Atlantic Telegraph Lines 42
Project for a New Atlantic Telegraph ( 'able 42
Proposed Texas Military Telegraph Line, The 72, 101
Portuguese Cable, The ■ 77
I'ostal Telegraph Schemes, The 131
1'rogress of the New Atlantic Cable .... 149
Protection of Government Telegraph Lines, The 167
Progress of the New A. & P. Telegraph Line 185
Pleasures of Telegraph Construction in Central America.. 204
Practicable Route Discovered for the Pacific ("able, A 215
Progress of the Farady in Laying the Direct U. S. Cable. . 275
Preparation s for the Direct U.S. Cable 287
Quotation and District Telegraphs in England, The 23
Quarterly Dividend of the W. tJ. Telegraph Co 215, 299
Removal of Offlce Automatic Signal Telegraph Co 113
Resumption of Dividends by the W. U. Telegraph Co 137
Reporting Telegraph in Canada, The 143
Return to Sau Francisco of Mr. Wm. E. Smith 143
Reported Loss of the Cable Steamer Faraday Nil
Reports on the Postal Telegraph Question, The 221
Resignation of Operators from the Manhattan Quotation
Company 251
Recovery of the Direct U. S. Cable 269
Removal of Gold and Stock Telegraph Company to the
New W. U. Building 293
Shares of the Gold & Stock Telegraph to be Dealt in at
Slock Exchange 101
Sailing of a Cable Steamer for South America 118
Superintendence of the Arizona Military Telegraph, The.. 113
Soundings for the Pacific Cable 119
Strike of the American District Telegraph Messengers, A 143
Southern and Atlantic Telegraph ( 'o., The 143, 185, 281, 811
Soundings for the Australian Cable 239
Steamship La Plata Wrecked. Brazilian Cable Sunk 293
Statistics of Government Telegraphs for 1873 294
Special Meeting of the Direct 0. S. (able Co. Proposition
to lay a Second Cabin 295
Telegraphic and Electrical Brevities 12, 18, 23, 86, 42, 59,
NEW PATENTS.
Apparatus for Lighting Gas by Frietional Electricity—
John P. Putnam 72
Apparatus for Firing Fuses by Electricity— Moses G. Farmer 95
Automatic Fire Alarm and Circuit Therefor— John H.
Guest 101
Automatic Telegraphy and Perforators Therefor— T. A.
Edison 155
Automatic Electric Commutators— William Robinson 240
Burglar and House Alarms— Richard M. Billings 54
Chemical Telegraph— T. A. Edison 78
Circuits for Chemical Telegraphy— T. A. Edison 78
Composition for Coating Telegraph Wires — Alex. Wilkin-
son 107
Chemical or Automatic Telegraph — T. A. Edison 143
Electric Lights— Matthias Day, Jr
Electrical Thermostat— Wm. B. Watkins
Electro-Magnetic Motors— C. J. B. Gaume
Electric Telegraph Apparatus— Wm. Thomson
Fire Alarm Telegraph— Louis H. McCullough
Fire Alarm Telegraph Apparatus— John F. Kirby
Fac-Simile Telegraph— Francis De Hondt
Fire Alarm Register— John O. Alley
Galvanic Battery, and Combining Therewith Secondary or
Accumulating Batteries (Re-issue)— Geo. H. Le-
clanche
Galvanic Battery (Re-issue) — Geo. H. Leclanche
" " — Robt. M. Lockwood
" " — Michael Breslin
Galvanometers— Wm. E. Davis
Improvement in Post Hole Digger (Extension)— John Lee.
Insulating Telegraph Wires— Thos. L. Reed
Insulated Electric Conductors— "
Morse Telegraph Register— John E. Smith
Machine for Making Telegrap Pins— Chas. O. Ripley
Magnetic Telegraph Apparatus for Student's Use— Wm.
Hemans..
Magnetic Electric Apparatus— Ernst W. Siemens
Mechanical Telegraph Instruments (Trade Mark— Snapper
Sounder)— R. W. Pope
Magnetic Safety or Relief Valve— Chas. S. Westland
Magnetic Electric Machine— Win. Hochhausen
" " Otto Heikel
Magnetic Motor— G. M. Phelps
Non-Freezing Battery— Edward H. Ashcroft
Ore Separated by Use of Magnets— John Y. Smith
Printing Telegraph— John E. Smith
Perforators for Automatic Telegraphy— T. A. Edison
Printing Telegraph— John E. Smith
" Merritt Galley
Portable Telegraph Apparatus— V. H. De Forville
Receiving Instrument for Chemical Telegraph— T. A. Edi-
Railwav Signals Operated by Electricity- A. H. Dailey...
Supports and Connections for Portable Telegraph Appara-
288
306
312
60
107
107
288
120
120
240
174
240
288
72
89
108
125
143
186
258
263
306
6
101
72
78
107
107
150
Cells for Galvanic Batteries— A. L. Nolf
Clamps for Telegraph Wires— George A. Beach.
Duplex Telegraph — George D'lnfreville
" " Jos. B. Stearns
T.A.Edison 89
Charles H. Haskins 240
District Telegraph Signal Boxes— T. A. Edison 240
District Alarm Telegraph — William D. Snow 258
Duplex Chemical Telegraph— T. A. Edison 300
Electric Signalling Apparatus for Railroads — Frank L.
Pope 12
Electro-Pneumatic Action for Musical Instruments— Wm.
F. Schmoele and H. Schmoele, Jr 18
Electric Ship Alarm— James B. Andrews 36
Electro-Magnet— Hy polite Fontaine 36
Electrical Apparatus for Ships* Registers— Niles H. Thomp-
Supr
tus— V. H. De Forville
Splices for Electrical Track Circuits— Wm Robinson
Telegraph Cut Out— Wm. G. Linn
Telegraph Register— Wm. H. Sawyer
Telegraph Insulator— C. Fox and E. G. Heston
Telegraph Relav— S. H. Lombard
Telegraph Signal Box— T. A. Edison
Telegraph Insulator— Peter Eby :
Telegraph Apparatus— Henry Van Hovenburgh
Telegraphic and Thermostatic Fire Alarm— Albert F. and
"" Frank B. Johnson
Telegraph Apparatus for Cable Use— Wm. E. Sawyer
Telegraph Sounder— Henry C. Royer
Telegraph Insulator— Chas. L. Le Baron
Telegraphic Fire Alarm Box— John Beaum and Wm. A.
" Jackson
Thermostat and Thermostatic Alarm— John H. Guest
Telegraph Relay— T. A. Edison
Thermo-Electric Pile— Chas. Clamard
Telegraph Key— R. W. Walker
Telegraph Relay— P. B. Delany
Telegraph Key— T. M. Foot and C. A. Randall
Telegraph Registers and Sounders — Henry Middleton
Telegraph Insulators— Chas. L. Le Baron
'• Homer Brooke ,
Tubes for Underground Telegraph Lines— T. Fell
Telegraph Cables— G. Zanini :
Underground Telegraph Lines— Wm. Mackintosh
Watchman's Electrical Time Recorder
BIR1 Ht
Electric Bell Striking Apparatus— L. H. McCollough. . . .. . 39
Electric Annunciator — Lewis Finger 56
Electric Telegraph— T. A. Edison 78
Electric Light— Matthias Day, Jr 89
Electric Alarm— Frank L. Pope 90
Electric Gas Lighter— Wm. W. Batchelder 95
Elect ric Fuse— Thos Varney 96
Electric Indicator for Elevators— Aug. Hahl 101 i
Electro-Plating Apparatus— Wm. C. Holman 101
Electric Clock— Johann B Kcrz 101
Electrolytic Apparatus— E. Casselberry and N. II. Edger-
ton N)7
Electric Railway Signal— Frank L. Pope 114
Electric Gas Lighting Apparatus— Edwin E. Bean 120
Electric Magnetic Alarm — Frank L. Pope 120
Electric Steam Boiler Alarm — Wm. C. Baker 126
Electric Railway Signal Apparatus — Thos. L. Hall 126
Electric and Thermostatic Fire Alarm— Geo. S. Shute 126
Electric Railway Signal— John M. Goodwin 126
Electro Magnetic Hotel Register— Louis Finger 132
Electrical Condenser— Charles A. Brown and Isaac S.
Brown 143
Electric Conducting Cordage — Thos. L. Reid 150
Electro-Magnetic Car Brake— F. F. A. Achard 155
Electric Signal Apparatus for Fire Hose— Joseph Buchtell. 155
Electrical Temperature Regulator — Wm. C. Baker 174
Electric Lighting Attachment to Gas Burners— A. T.
Smith 186
Electro Magnetic Motors— W. S. Sims 192
Electric Telegraphs— T. M. Foote and C. A. Randall 192
192
Electric Signalling Apparatus for Railroads— Wm. Robin-
son 198
Electric Telegraph Apparatus— R. K. Boyle 198
Electric and Galvanic Apparatus (Trade Mark)— Jerome
Kidder 198
Electro-Magnetic Engines -Henry M. Paine 210
Electric Signalling Apparatus— Wm. H. Sawyer 210
Electric Railway Signals Win. Robinson 210
Electro Magnetic Engines — L. Bostal 216
Electro-Pneumatic Railway Signal Apparatus- A. Bern-
stein 216
Electro-Magnetic Governors for steam Diving Apparatus
J. M. Bradford 828
Electro Magnetic Station Indicators Charles W. White, . 222
Electric Telegraphs -Wm. O. Barny 284
Electric Hotel Anunciators — Louis Finger 234
Electric Anunciators- Albert Storer and John Lennox 240
Electro-Magnetic Engines L. Bast 11 and <'. J. B. Dannie . 246
Electrical Thermostatic Alarms Win. I). Snow 258
Earth Batteries for Generating Electricity Win. I). Snow. 258
Electric Clocks Rudolph Sayer ... 258
Electric Anunciators W. R. Cole 258
Electric Anunciators Ceo. P.. Scott 263
Electro-Magnetic Engines Henry Van Hovenbergb 270
270
MARRIAGES, DEATHS.
BORN.
I'o Aspinwall, C, a son
"■ Anderson, D. S., a daughter
" Berry man, John, Jr., a son
" Bailey, J. R., a son
" Collins, John F., a son
" Duggan, J. C, a son
•' Gooding, C. F., a daughter — ,
" Hubbel, C. H., a son
" Jones, G F., a son
" King, Charles O, a son
" Larkin, Thomas G., a son
•' Lynn, Frank G., a son
" Maynard, H. C, a daughter
" McLaughlin Thomas F., a son.
" Parsons, W. H., a son
" Rice, S. C. , a son
" Sparks, George L., a son
•' Sholes, C. G., a daughter
" Thornton, H. B., a son
" Weller, L. E.. a daughter
143
21C
143
258
6
6
24
36
60
72
78
90
114
120
120
120
132
132
135
155
174
174
174
210
222
240
281
288
54
281
204
270
54
78
143
270
46
150
135
6
108
126
264
258
150
6
126
180
155
MARRIED.
Adams— Dirstine
Berry — Pashburgh
Cadmus— Barkelow . .
Finks— Brown
Failing — Barrett
Faulconer — Hackett. .
Huntington— Swayze.
Howden-Read
Jones — Dike
Lichty— Supplee
Mayo— Pfeiff er
Munson— Wood
York
A illicit, Louis James. .
Andrews. Charles A.
Armstrong,
Calkins, George W
( Ireighton, Edward. .
Dohni, Dennis
Eagan, William
Finnan, Horace 1.
Harris, George
Whit.'
70 Murray-Foster....
14 Plum— Husted .... .
48 Purden— Cline
6 Riley — Norton
18 Rowe- Washbume.
104 Stewart— Scwalka..
72 Taylor— Hull
:81 Thayer- Pray
4-8 Van Size— Fellows
!K> Wood -Crowley....
42 Wheeler Neally...
26 Wheeler Basset l
■Balthis 228
135
216
216
66
■i'.ti
135
135
R II
Long, Minnie
Maynard
Miner, Charles T
McConiiell. Harrison. . .
Orton, Samuel Vance.. .
Porter, Samuel
Scully, Bertha M.
Shea, Vincent 11
Upson, Henry s..
. . 78
OBITUARIES.
72, 78, 125, 148, 162, 167, 173, 179, 209, 228, 234, 800, 306, :112 Electro-Magnetic Stop Cocks E. Coe and II. W. Fluke
The Telegraph in China 42
Telegraph Lines of the Great Southern Railway Jul
The Telegraph in Japan 130, 203
s, Isaac . . . . 288
ailing Apparat us for Railways R. A. Stendell 276 Creightcm, Kilwun! 276
■ '■:-- ■»-■' «'■■■ «' ''•■ 276 Eagan, Win . 188
288 Harris, Geoij;c. 4p
Electric si^
h.l. ctril Car Detaching Devices Win. W. Carson
Klectro-Thcrmosltttic Eire Alarm.-. K J. Emit
Myers, II. R
Miner, Charles 'I'
Porter, Suumcl
St John, Juui- s 1!
222
179
228
234
294
48
179
294
234
66
1U8
155
J 26
216
27U
300
108
60
126
101
270
B0
1M
6
INDEX.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Action of the Cleveland, 0., W. U. Operators on the Death
of George D. Phillips 8
Automatic Semaphore Railroad Signals 31
A Noble Opportunity Lost 31
Appropriate Presentation to Supt. W. A. Graves, N. Y. C.
&H. R. Rd. Telegraph 56
A Good Hit 63
Anglo-American Cable, The 74
Action of W. U. Employes, Cincinnati, O., on Death of
George H. Everett 83
Another Electric Motor and Invention 86
A Bit of Advice to Correspondents 98
An Exegesis 110
An American Telegrapher Killed by Australian Savages. . . 110
An Efficient and Popular Superintendent Ill
An Unprofitable Customer Ill
All the Flounces 131
A (Quaint Conceit 140
A Telegrapher Recovers Judgment against a Railroad Co. 159
Associated Press, The.— C. P. R. R. and the Telegraphs,
The 164
A Misstatement Corrected 182
An Improved Astatic Galvanometer 182
Automatic (Fire) Signal Telegraph 199
A Step in Civilization 201
A Chance lor Inventors 205
Atmospheric Telegraphy .• 206
Arrangement of Lightning Conductors 210
American Electrical Society, The 334
A Telegraphic Blunder and What Came of It 235
Appropriate and Deserved Presentation to Mr. Gerrit
Smith 251
Annual Meeting of the T. M. B. Association 256, 278
Activity of Telegraphic Invention, The 269
Action of Buffalo, N. Y. District, T. M. B. Association 269
Are Earthquakes an Electrical Phenomenon ? 288
Atlantic Telegraphers 289
A Scientific Practical Joke 302
Adventures of Two Nice Young Operators from Golden .. . . 308
Ball at Tucson, A. T., to Celebrate Completion Military
Telegraph to San Diego, Cal 30
Bewildered Father, A 62
Break ! for the Light is Breaking ! 83
Berry and His Matchlock 131
Barrow Creek, Australia, Telegraph Station, Attack on 140
Berthon's Collapsible Barge 140
Bunsen'e Battery Improved 164
Bryant's Big Humbug 218
Boston Industrial Exhibition, The 235
Christmas Greeting to a Telegraph Manager 2
Can Electricity oe Profitably Employed as a Motive
Power ? 26
Cruise of the Tusearora to Locate a Route for the Pacific
Cable 26
Correspondence of The Telegeaphek, The 30
Chicago AVestern Union Female Operators, The 62
Cable Company in Chancery, A 62
Compliment to a Retiring W estern Union Superintendent . . 105
Cables and Cable Laying 121
Chemic Acid Solution for Batteries . .■ 162
Constructing Electro-Magnets 164
Cuba Submarine Telegraph Co. Meeting, The , 165
Canadian Marine Telegraph Bill, The 224
Cheap Galvanic Battery, A 237
Constants of Nature . .'. 254
Corelation of Forces, The 261
Camacho Electro-Motor, The 285
Curiosities of the Telegraph , 285
Canadian Telegraphs Act. The 289
Character of Electric Discharges 302
Dedication of the New General Post Office, London. > 19
Dots and Dashes in the Stock Exchange ." 12
Demoralized Telegraphers 110
Dog Killing by Electricity 186
Delay in Laying Submarine Cables 193
Death of Ex-Commissioner of Patents, S. S. Fisher 207
Dr. Priestly and the Voltaic Pile 209
Duplex and Quadruplex Telegraphy 229
Difficulties Attending the Introduction of the Telegraph in
China 253
Duplex, Quadruplex and Fast Telegraphy 271
Death of Ezra Cornell 300
Details of the Wreck of the Cable Steamer La Plata 301
Electricity 38
Eastern Telegraph Co. , The 61, 182
Elongation of Conductors by Electricity 123
Electricity in Commerce 146
Electro-Plating with Cobalt 153
Electrical Apparatus used by Robt. Houdin
Electricity Produced in Mechanical Actions
Experiments on Electrical Transmission through Wood.. .
Electrical Railway Alarm, The
Electrical Gas Lighting
Electric Headlight for Locomotives
Electrical Countries
Electric Lights for Lighthouses
Fast Receiver, A
First Report of the B. A. Committee on Dynamical and
Electrical Units
Financial Failure of the British Postal Telegraph
Future Work of the Challenger
Farmer's Dynamo-Electric Machines
Fire Alarm Telegraph
Government and the Telegraphs, The
Galvanic Electricity
Gas Pressure Alarm
Galvanic Electricity without Chemical Action
Gas Lighting by Electricity
Good Education, A
Government Purchase of the British Ocean Telegraphs, The
Government Telegraph Schemes
Historical Department of the German Telegraph Exposi-
tion at Vienna in 1873 55,
How the English Government Treats its Female Operators.
How the British Government Telegraph Pays. An Increas-
ing Deficit
Hooper's Telegraph Works •
He, too, was Weak
How to find the Electro-Motive Force of a Battery
How a Practical Joker was Sold
Herring, Mr., and the Telegraphs
Hymeneal Presents to a Western Union Cashier
Important Legal Decision
Importance of Little Things in Telegraphy
Indian and American Telegraphs
John Oakum
Keep Cool
Launch of the Cable Ship Faraday
Light Cable Company, The .■
Light vs. Heavy Cables
Line Repairing in Queensland .-
Lightning's Vagaries, The
Lightning Rods
Lectures by Prof. Trowbridge at the Lowell Institute, Bos-
ton, Mass . . '
Legal Proceedings against the Automatic Telegraph Com-
pany and Others
Mathematics for Non-Mathematicians
Method of Determining the Actual Resistance of Old Tele-
graph Line Wires
Misfortunes Attending West India Telegraphs
Magnetic Equivalent of Heat, The
Military Telegraphs
Marine Glue for Wooden Battery Cells
Magnetization of Steel, The
Magnets
Magneto-Electric Machines
Mayor Wickham's First Official Act
Matched
New Central Telegraph < )fiicc in London, The
Novel Application of Electricity
New Western Union Telegraph Building, The
New Bonds of the Western Union Telegraph Co
New ( irgunizarion of Telegraph Employes, A
New Printing Telegraph, A
Novel Application of Telegraph Wire
New Thenno Electric Pile'.
New Duplex Telegraph, A
NewWestern Union Office in Cincinnati, Ohio ?.
New Invention in Telegraphy, A
New Electro-Magnetic Station Indicator
New Magneto-Mechanical Separator
New Theory of Electricity, A
New Postmaster General and the Telegraph, The
New Form of Electro-Magnets, A
Opposition to the Western Union Telegraph Co., The
Our Telegraph Operators
On Some Points in Connection with the Indian Telegraphs
133, 139, 145
One May to Stop If. 159
Origin of the '1 erm Ping 165
On the New Contact Theory of the Galvanic Cell 211, 223
Owton A. Flye. He goes into the Country with his Family 210
Origin of Weather Telegraphy, The ". 254
Personals, 3, 11, 18, 23, 29, 35, 39, 47, 54, 59, 65, 71, 78, 83, 89,
95, 99, 105, 113, 117. 125. 129, 137. 142, 149, 155, 161, 167,
173, 179, 185. 191, 197, 203, 209. 215, 221, 227. 233, 239,
345, 251, 257, 263, 275, 280, 287, 293, 299, ^03, 311 I
157
177
198
206
209
290
302
309
75
109
181
197
242
181
2
103
153
153
155
192
207
303
109
98
104
109
125 I
182 i
186 I
*5
I
1M
175
186
284
303
14
19
86
131
141
177
186
213
219
306
312
18
97
110
111
145
158
165
198
206
230
286
243
243
278
281
297
38
78
Promoted' 12
Postmaster-General's Report, The! .'.............. 19
Phenomena of Induced Currents 21
Patent Congress, The 24
Postal Telegraph Debate, The 36
Page Patent Litigation, The. Answer of Manhattan Quo-
tation Co 49
Panama Cable Service, The 56
Pima Indians and the Telegraph 63
Pass Him Round 1
Prominent Telegraphers of Elizabeth, N. J. . . . . . 74
Practical Application of Electricity, The 79
Pacific Ocean. Deep Sea Soundings. . 97
Pacific Cable, The 98, 1 16
Pluck 128
Poetry of Telegraph Poles , 153
Post Office Telegraphs .- 207
Press Telegraphing in Great Britain. Inefficiency of the
Postal Telegraph 235
Production of Electric Light 254
Pyrometers ■ 261
Presentation to J. A. Noble 281
Parade and Festival of American District Telegraph Mes-
sengers J : 291
Proposed Reform in the British Patent Laws 309
Quotations of Telegraph Stocks, 60, 66, 72, 78, 84, 89, 95,-10],
107, 114, 120; 125, 132, 137, 143, 149, 155, 162, 1(17, 173,
179, 186, 192, 198, 204, 210, 216, 222, 227, 234, 240, 246,
• 252, 256, 263, 270. 276, 281, 288, 294, 300, 306, 311
Queensland, Australia, Blacks Attack a Telegraph Station 110
Reniar able Operations 2
Resignation of, and Presentation to Mr. Chas. P. Hoag 38
Reply to President Orion's Statement in Regard to Relative
Expense Morse and Automatic Telegraphy 50
Rapid Development of the Electric Telegraph Business, The 193
Recent Soundings for the Pacific Cable Route ,'206
Recent Advance in Electrical Science 207
Route for the Pacific Cable, The 218
Robbery Prevented by Telegraph 230
Railroad Telegraph Superintendent Killed, A 255
Resignations and Promotions in the U. S. Patent Office 257
Society of Telegr .ph Engineers, The 8
Suit against the W. U. Telegraph Co 38
Spanish Telegraphy in 1873. Submarine Cables 68
Southern Telegraph Institute of Louisville a Humbug 75
Staae Telegraphy 7'8
Sundries ' 89
Submarine Telegraph Property 116
Survey for the Pacific Cable, The 152
Society of Arts 153
Shocking. .•. 195
Straw Lightning ( 'onductors 261
Suicide of Win. H. Clark 294
The AV'ay the Cable Talks 3
Telegraphic Defaulter, A 36
Telegraphers' Mutual Benefit. Association. Acknowledg-
ments, 68, 86, 98, 104, 110, 122, 128, 149, 158, 170, 182,
198, 204, 212, 230, 236, 252, 269, 273, 290, 302
Telegraphic .Matters > 92
The Theory of Magnetic Force 97
Telegraph Department of the Reading R. R. Co 116
Telegraphing above the Clouds 116
The Telegraphic Offices in the Corridors of the Capitol at
Washington 127
Telegraphic RemcinVcence, A. , 131
The Telegraph in War 151
The Telegraph in Central America 152
Telegraphic Poetry 155
Telegraphic Base Ball I 'elebrafion of the Fourth of July. . . 159
Telegraphic Base Ball Match. Dashes again Victorious
over the Dots 164
Telegraphic Bulls 171
Telegraphic Annual Reunion 176
Telephone, The 176
Tommasi's Hydro-Electric Cable .■ 198
Toothache Cured by Electricity 310
Telegraphic Cables 272
Taxation of Telegraphic Companies, The 294
Time by Telegraph 297
Uncle Jim's Dog 159
Uneconomical Economy in Australia 206
United States Signal Service. Its Telegraphic Connections 289
Work of the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Co.
in 1873 68
Weak Lightning 164
Western Union Telegraph Company, The. Opposing Tele-
graphic Monopoly 206
Western Union and Automatic Telegraph Co. Little in
Reply to Orton 259
Vol. X.
JVew York, Saturday, January 3, 187 Jf.
Whole JVo. 890
/CHARLES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
^ 109 GOURT STREET, BOSTON, MASS.,
MANUFACTURER OF
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
OF ALL KINDS,
G-ALVANIC BATTERIES,
JONES' PATENT LOCK SWITCH,
PATENT ELECTRIC GONGS,
PRINTING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS.
ALSO, ON HAND AND FOR SALE,
D. W. PUTT & CO.'S Mechanical Telegraph
Instruments,
"Pope's Modern Practice of the Electric Telegraph,"
AND A FULL ASSORTMENT OF
TELEGRAPH MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES,
AT THE LOWEST PRICES.
/CANADIAN TELEGRAPH SUPPLY
MANUFACTURING COMPANY,
MANUFAOTUBEBS OF
All kinds of Electrical Instruments
AND
TELEGRAPH SUPPLIES.
All orders promptly filled, at reasonable prices.
Office and Factory,
3S2 and 3S4 KING STREET, WEST,
Toronto, Ont.
^T OVELTY!
A SOUNDER of Entirely New Construction,
which gives with the usual amount of battery a very heavy and
elear sound.
Size for Regulab Offices $5 00
Small Size 3 50
Learners 1 Outfits, with small size Sounder, Key,
Battery, Chemicals, Wire, Instruction Book, &c,
all complete 7 50
Send for Circular.
TELEGRAPH SUPPLY AND M'F'G 00.,
No. 4 Leader Building,
CLEVELAND, O.
/CHARLES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
(established 1856.)
109 Court Street, Boston,
has for sale the various Vinds of Office and Magnet Wires, In-
cluding Cotton Covered, Silk, Gutta Percha, Painted, Fancy, and
DAY'S KERITE COVERED WIRE.
/COVERED WIRES,
^^ Made from Lake Superior Copper, warranted strictly
pure, covered with Hemp, Flax, Linen, Cotton, Silk or other
material, for Telegraph Instruments, Electro-Magnetic Machines,
Philosophical Apparatus, and all kinds of Electrical Purposes.
Also, PLAIN, WOVEN, ENAMELLED, SHELLACED,
PARAFFINED, and all kinds of
TELEGRAPH OFFICE WIRES.
Also, Telegraph Switch Cords,
many Patterns, Plain, Woven a-nd Braided. Parties being partial
to any particular kind need only enclose a small specimen in a
letter and it can be imitated in every particular.
CONDUCTING- CORDS, POLE CORDS, TINSEL.
C. THOMPSON,
(Successor to Josiah B. Thompson,)
29 North 20th St., Thila., Ta.
JOSEPH MOORE & SONS,
(Established 1820,)
535 *B 537 CHINA STREET^
(Below Green St.,) PHILADELPHIA, Pa.,
MANUFACTURERS OF
INSULATED WIRES.
OFFICE WIRE— Plain, Braided, Prepared, &c.
INSTRUMENT WIRE— Cotton and Silk Covered, &c.
FLEXIBLE CORDS, all kinds, &c, &c.
We warrant all Wire to be of the highest conductivity, tested
by our Galvanometer, which compares with the tests of the
highest authority in this country.
EUGENE F. PHILLIPS,
MANUFACTURER OF
TELEGRAPH OFFICE WIRES
OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS.
Lock box, 169. peO VTDEJVCE, R. I.
With improved facilities for the manufacture of BRAIDED
LINEN or COTTON COVERED OFFICE WIRE, either plain or
paraffined, I am now prepared to offer to purchasers a SUPERIOR
ARTICLE, in any quantity, on the most reasonable terms.
The Gold and Stock, and the American District Telegraph
Companies have been supplied from my works with the larger
part of the office wire used by them.
SEND FOR SAMPLE CARD.
For further information address as above, or
F. L. POPE & 00.,
38 YESEY STREET, N. Y.
|^ALLAUD BATTERY.
L G. TILLOTSON & CO.
SOLE MANUFACTURERS in the EAST.
ORDERS SOLICITED.
No. 8 DEY STREET, NEW YORK.
\ NEW GALVANIC BATTERY.
Durability, Efficiency, and Economy of Expense
and Labor at last Secured.
THE EAGLES METALLIC BATTERY.
PATENT APPLIED FOR.
The undersigned having secured the exclusive Agency for the
manufacture and sale of the
EAGLES METALLIC BATTERY,
now offer them to the public as the best Battery for Telegraphic
and other purposes yet devised.
The Battery cell is made of lead, and forms one pole of the
battery. Sulphate of copper is the only chemical required to be
used.
These Batteries have been fully tested during the last year,
although only recently offered for sale, and have proved to be
superior to any other as regards efficiency, economy and dura-
bility. When once set up they require no attention for from
four to six months, according to the service required of them.
Two sizes are made at present, but others will soon be ready.
No. 1 is a large square cell, and can be used as a local or for
running motors.
One of these cells has been in use in this city for running a
sewing machine for weeks, without renewal, and is still in good
working condition. Price, $2.25.
No. 2 is a round cell, designed for either locals or main line.
Price; $2.
These batteries will be supplied, and further information
furnished by
F. L. POPE & CO.,
38 VESEY STREET,
SOLE AGENTS.
CALLAUD BATTERIES
KEPT ON HAND, AND ORDERS FILLED BY
W. MITCHELL M°ALLISTER,
728 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia,
CHARLES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
109 Court Street, Boston,
AND BY THE
WESTERN ELE0TRI0 MANUFACTURING 00.,
AGENTS FOR THE UNITED STATES,
220 East Kinzie Street, Chicago, III.
WALLACE & SONS,. #
MANUFACTURERS OF
BRASS. COPPER & GERMAN SILVER WIRE.
Also, BRASS, COPPER and GERMAN SILVER,
in Dm Roll and Sheet.
We make the inaiiufiieturi' o! Kloctric Wire a specialty—
especially the finer sizes of C"]i)> irfor i onductlon, and Gorman
Hi i vim- for resistance purposes guaranteeing the conductivity of
the same in every in; ituiici- to be superior to that of any other
manufacturer In the market.
WAREHOUSE,
8'.) Chamber Street, N. Y.
MANUFACTORY,
Ansonin, Conn.
11
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[January 3, 18?4,
\ LEXANDEK L. HAYES,
Late Assistant Examiner of Electrical and Telegraphic Apparatus,
U. S. Patent Office),
SOLICITOR OF PATENTS,
No. 17 PEHBERTON SQUARE,
(Room 12,)
BOSTON, MASS.
s
ECURITY MESSAGE HOOK.
PATENT APPLIED FOR.
The damage from the loss of a single message will equip a line
many times with our new Hook, which gives great security.
Price 30 cents each.
" per dozen $3.00.
Liberal terms to the trade.
GEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
41 Third Avenue, Chicago, 111.,
General Agents.
s
ECOND-HAND RELAYS.
A large lot of well polished and good working Relays for sale
very cheap ; also, several sets of
SICKS REPEATE RS,
in perfect order, at a nominal price.
CEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
41 THIRD AVE., Chicago, 111.
TJUSSELLS' AMERICAN
-"' STEAM PRINTING HOUSE,
17, 19, 21, 23 ROSE STREET, near FRANKFORT,
NEW YORK,
EXECUTES ALL DESCRIPTIONS OP
BOOK, JOB AND COMMERCIAL PEIETIUG,
TELEGRAPH PRINTING A SPECIALTY.
npHOS. CHALMERS' SONS,
-*- MANUFACTUBEBS OF
ELECTRIC ANNUNCIATORS,
FOE
HOTELS, DWELLINGS, STEAMSHIPS,;YACHTS,
etc., etc.,
AND ALL KINDS OF
ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS,
BELLS, BATTERIES, "WIRE, etc.,
BURGLAR ALARMS, FIRE ALARMS,
79 VdBICK STREET, NEW YOBK.
A HAND-BOOK OF PRACTICAL TELE-
GRAPHY.
ByR. S. CULLEY,
ENGINEER TO THE
ELECTRIC AND INTERNATIONAL
TELEGSATH COMPANY.
Published with the sanction of the Chairman and Directors of
the Electric and International Telegraph Company, and adopted
by the Department of Telegraphs for India.
FOURTH EDITION,
REVISED AND ENLARGED.
vol. 8vo, cloth „ $5 oo.
i Copies sent free by mail on receipt of price.
My new Catalogue of American and Foreign Scientific Boots
e ighty pages, 8vo, sent to any address on receipt of ten cents. '
D, VAN N0STBAND, Publisher,
23 MURRA T STREET, N. 7. I
*HE AMATEUR'S
TELEGRAPH APPARATUS.
(Patented April 16th, 1872.)
This is a bona fide. Telegraph Instrument, with a full sized
Trunnion Lever Key, with Friction Circuit Closer and a Pony
Sounder, both on same base.
The Battery used is Hill's Patent Gravity Battery, the most
constant and economical in use.
With each Instrument is furnished
ONE CUP OF BATTERY,
TWO YARDS OFFICE WIRE,
ONE PACKAGE BLUE VITRIOL,
ONE PACKAGE SULPHATE ZINC,
and a "Manual of the Telegraph," for the instruction of be-
ginners. This is a sufficient outfit for the student.
In operating a short line there will only be required, in
addition to the above, more cups of battery, according to the
length of line.
A COMPLETE OUTFIT FOR A TELEGRAPH OFFICE,
Seven Dollars and ITifty Cents.
Two Sets, complete , $14 50
Sounder and Key only 6 60
, " " with Cut-out and Lightning Arrester. . . 7 50
We will pay expressage on Amateur Outfits when price is
remitted in Advance.
GEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
SOLE AGENTS,
41 THIRD AVENUE,
Chicago, III.
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
OHAFPNER'S
TELEGRAPH MANUAL.
TO TELEGRAPHISTS.
I am now revising my " TELEGKAPH MANUAL," and desire
to make the work complete in its description of the present
state of
TELECRAPHIC SCIENCE AND ART.
There are some Six Hundred and Twenty-five Illustra-
tions in the Edition of 1859, and the present coming-Edition will
contain at least One Thousand, descriptive of the latest
improvements.
At present it is my design to issue two Volumes, containing
about 600 pages each, separating the Historical from the Ope-
rative.
I will thank any one for information suitable for such a work.
Would like drawings and description of apparatuses.
Respectfully,
TAL. P. SHAFFNEE,
78 and 80 Broadway,
NEW YORK.
OMETHLNG NEW.
s
11 The Rattler" Telegraph Sounder.
(patent applied for.)
This is a very simple and effective Instrument, and, as it does
not require any spring to draw the lever back, is always
adjusted.
PRIGE, ----- $3.50.
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO
No. 8 HEY STREET, N. Y.
rpHE BISHOP GUTTA PERCH A WORKS,
422, 424, 426 EAST 25th ST., N. Y.
S . BISHOP, Proprietor,
ONLY MANUFACTURER
OP
PURE GUTTA PER C HA GOODS
IN THE
UNITED STATES.
Has also on hand, and makes to order,
SUBMARINE CABLES, OFFICE CABLES, AND INSULATE©
WIRES OF EVERY VAKIETY,
FOB
TELEGRAPH, UNDERGROUND AND ELECTRIC USE.
Fuse Wires, Leading and Connecting Wires for SUBMARINE
and MINING PURPOSES.
Also, a NEW COMPOUND (thoroughly tested) for undergrounfl
and out-door use.
Cotton, Linen, Silk and Fibre covered Wires for
MAGNET AND OFFICE USE,
of any pattern or style
OFFICE WIRES,
Cotton and Gutta Percha covered, with any number of conductors
, required.
Gutta Percha and Cotton covered Wires for HOTEL ANNUN-
CIATORS, ELECTRIC BELLS and BURGLAR ALARMS.
Has on hand and makes to order
SUBMARINE CABLES, INSULATED WIRES, for
TELEGRAPH AND ELECTRIC USE,
AND FOE
BLASTING AND MINING PURPOSES,
In every variety desired.
As an Insulation for Telegraph Cables and Electric Conductors
Gutta Peboha has been universally adopted by all scientific anfi
practical Electricians' and Manufacturers of Telegraph Cables and
Wires in this country and Europe, and has sustained, with in=
creasing superiority in the practical test of over twenty-five
years' general use.
The PROPRIETOR will guarantee, to all parties purchasing
SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH CABLES,
to make and deliver at his Factory any style of Cable. Insulated
with Gutta Percha, as low as they can import Cable of the same
style and quality, and in half the time required to import them.
CABLES OF ONE MILE OR LESS manufactured and de-
livered at one week's notice.
ORDERS RECEIVED AT THE FACTORY.
Messrs. L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
8 DE7 STREET, NEW YORK,
have been appointed by me GENERAL AGENTS for the sale of
any Telegraph Cable or Wire manufactured at the WorkB in New
York, at Factory Prices, delivered in New York.
JOHN THQMLEY, 503 Chestnut St., Philadelphia,
has been appointed Agent for the sale of any and all goods mann-
factured by me, at Factory Prices, delivered in New York.
Any Goods manufactured (except Telegraph Goods) are for
sale in New York by
SARGENT & STUDLEY, 26 Park Place,
RUBBER CLOTHING CO., 363 Broadway,
D. HODGMAN & CO., 27 Maiden Lane,
SHEPARD & DUDLEY, 150 William St.
Address all Communications to
S . B I S H O T» ,
OFFICE AT FACTORY.
January 3, 1314.
THE TELEGRAPHER
The Telegraphek
A Journal of
ELECTRICAL PROGRESS.
J.
N.
SATURDAY,
JANUARY 3, 1814.
VOL
X.
WHOLE No.
390.
Original QvMti.
The Elementary Principles of Electrical Meas-
urement.
By F. L. Pope.
Introductory.
The foundation of all exact knowledge rests prima-
rily upon the comparison of one quantity with another,
or, to speak perhaps more accurately, upon the com-
parison of unknown with known quantities. "When
experimental researches are conducted hy single indi-
viduals, the absolute value of the quantities dealt with
are usually immaterial, but if a number of persons are
employed in investigating the same class of phenom-
ena, it becomes necessary that they, should have a mu-'
tual understanding of the units and methods of measure-
ment to be employed. The object of the present treat-
ise is to assist the student in obtaining a clear under-
standing of the principles and standards employed in
making electrical measurements.
The electrical phenomena which admit of measure-
ment are four in number, viz., electro-motive force, re-
sistance, quantity and current. These four measur-
able properties necessarily exist in every electric cir-
cuit.
An electric circuit, in the most usual acceptation of
the term, consists essentially of a voltaic battery and
of a conductor, or series of conductors, connecting its
positive and negative poles. This battery may consist
of a single cell or element, or of many cells ; and the
conductor joining its poles may be of "any length, from
an inch or two to many hundreds of miles, but the es-
sential features of the circuit in either case are precisely
the same.
Before entering upon the subject of electrical meas-
urement, it is necessary that the student should under-
stand the precise meaning of the terms used to denote
the four measurable qualities of the electric circuit.
Electro-motive Force.
This may be defined as the immediate force which
produces an electric current, or, in other words, the
power which a voltaic cell, or other generator of elec-
tricity, possesses of causing a transfer or flow of a cer-
tain quantity of electricity. It does not depend in the
slightest degree upon the size or form of the cell, but
principally upon the kind of metals of which the bat-
tery is composed, and to a less extent upon the nature
of the exciting solution in which the metals are im-
mersed.
This may be easily proved by the following interest-
ing and instructive experiment: Procure a commou
toy tumbler an inch and a half high, and construct a
miniature Darnell's cell with it by bending a piece of
sheet zinc into a cylinder of such size as to just go
within the tumbler. Make a porous cell of the bowl of
a common clay tobacco pipe, with the stem broken off
and the opening at the bottom* closed by a bit of wax
or tallow. Bend a piece of copper wire into a spiral,
of such size as to go within the pipe bowl, which is to
be filled with powdered sulphate of copper or blue
vitriol. A wire soldered to the zinc cylinder forms the
other pole.of the battery. Pill the tumbler and the
pipe bowl with warm water. Now connect this minia-
ture cell in circuit with a full size Darnell's cell, so that
the two batteries oppose each other. By placing a
galvanometer in circuit it will be found that not the
slightest current will pass, showing that' the electro-
motive force of the small cell is exactly equal to that
of the large one.
The existence of an electro-motive force necessarily
involves a certain electrical condition, which is termed
by recent writers on the subject a difference of poten-
tial. Although the idea expressed " by this term is a
very simple one, it is nevertheless somewhat difficult
to translate it into words so as to bo easily understood.
In fact, the terms electro-motive force and difference
of potential are often employed indiscriminately by
writers on electricity. They are not, strictly speaking,
identical, although neither can exist without the other.
Perhaps the matter may be reudered clearer by an
illustration.
If plates of two .different metals (as the copper
and zinc Z in fig. 1) be immersed in water contained in
a 1 glass vessel, and a copper wire, C, be joined to the
zinc Z, C will become charged with positive and'C with
negative electricity, and' the difference in the electrical
condition of these poles, as they are termed, of the
voltaic cell or element thus formed, is their difference
of potential.
Now if C and C 1 were united by a wire, that wire
would be traversed by an electric current, and the
strength of this current would be strictly proportional
to the difference of potential between the poles before
they were joined. The electricity existing in and
C 1 before they are connected by the wire is said to be
in a static condition. When traversing the wire it is
said to be in a dynamic condition — that; is, in motion.
Now, as the strength of the dynamical current is
always strictly proportional to the difference of poten-
tial existing. between the two statically charged points,
it follows that the statical charge becomes a measure
of the dynamical action. Electricity at rest bears a
definite relation to electricity in motion. Similarly,
the difference of potential existing between and C 1 is
always strictly in proportion to the electro-motive
force of the cell or element, and, in fact, may be said
to be caused thereby. The difference of potential,
therefore, may be said to be that difference of electrical
cV
(Fig. >.)
condition between two points by virtue of which a
current tends to flow from one to the other when they
are united by a conductor. The existence or continu-
ance of the flow of a current of electricity from one
point to another consequently depends solely upon
the difference of potential between the two poiuts.
Probably it would not be incorrect to say that an'
electro-motive force causes a difference of potential
between two points, and this difference of potential in
turn gives rise to a current whenever the two points
are connected by a conductor.
This may, perhaps, be rendered clearer by means of
a certain analogy which exists between the action of
electricity and that of water.
Suppose we have two vessels of equal size and ca-
pacity, A and B, fig. 2, connected by an horizontal
pipe, C, provided with a closed stop-cock. Now let
such a quantity of water be put into each vessel that
the surface of the water in A shall be the same dis-
tance above the line X X that the surface of the water
in B is below it. The difference between the level of
the water in A and in B may be termed their difference
in potential. The two bodies of water are in a condi-
tion corresponding to that of the electricity in the cell
shown in figure 1. Now, if we open the stop-cock
(which corresponds to the act of joining and C 1 in
fig. 1 by a wire), a current will flow through the pipe
C. The greater the difference of level between A and
B the more rapidly and forcibly will the water pass
through C. When the water in both vessels has
(Fig. 2.)
reached the same level— that of the line X X— the
flow will cease, because there is no longer any differ-
ence of potential. The line X X, therefore, may be
termed the zero of potential, and the original level in
A which was higher than this line represents a positive
potential, while the lower level in B in the same way
represents a negative potential.
Now let us suppose that an apparatus is sot at work
pumping water from B into A. This would tend to
lower the water in B and at the same time raise it an
equal amount in A, or, in other words, to maintain a
difference in potential between the two vessels. This
pumping apparatus corresponds to the electro-motive
Force and the difference in potential maintained between
A and 1!, and consequently the amount, of wafer that
will thereby be caused to pass through in a given
time depends entirely upon the energy of its action,
and is of course directly proportional t beret/).
It will also be obvious that the amount of water
flowing through (' depends upon the difference of level
between A and B, and not at all upon the absolute
level, which may be arbitrarily assumed :if pleasuro.
For instance, the zero lino X X might bo assumed 'as
the mean level of the sea. In precisely the same man-
ner the potential of the earth is assumed as the zero of
electrical potential, merely as a matter of convenience
in electrical work, and therefore, when we say that
a given point has a certain positive or negative poten-
tial, we mean that its potential is so much greater or
less than that of the earth.
Resistance.
All known substances, whether solid or liquid, op-
pose a greater or less resistance to the passage of an
electric current through them, when they form part of
an electric circuit, by which it is to be understood that
when two bodies having a different electrical potential
are connected by any material whatever, the quantity
of electricity produced occupies a certain time in pass-
ing between them. Thus, if a certain difference of
potential between two points is maintained by means
of a constant electro-motive force, and these two points
are joined by a conductor, as before explained, it is
found that, by modifying the form or the material of
the conductor, the transfer of a given quantity of elec-
tricity may be made to take place in very different
times. The quality of a conductor, by virtue of which
it prevents the transfer of more than a certain quan-
tity of electricity in a given time, is called its electrical
resistance.
Eeturning to our illustration by means of the flow
of water, as shown in fig. 2, if the pipe C were reduced
to one half its original capacity, its resistance would
be doubled. It would then take exactly twice as long
as before (leaving friction out of the question) for a
given quantity of water to be transferred from A to B,
provided the other conditions remained unchanged.
Electrical resistance is a property that differs very
widely in different substances. The best conductor
known is probably pure silver. One of the worst is
gurta percha, the resistance of which is no less than
850,000,000,000,000,000,000 times as great as that of
pure silver. Substances usually termed insulators are
merely those having a very great resistance. The terms
conductor and insulator are, therefore, entirely relative
and not absolute, and it would, perhaps, be as well for
the student to consider all bodies in the light of con-
ductors having a greater or a less resistance, as the
case may be, which will materially assist him in form-
ing a clear and distinct conception of the nature of
electrical action.
The resistance of an electric circuit is partly within
the battery itself, and partly in that portion of the cir-
cuit outside the battery.
Quantity.
Much confusion of ideas has ariseu from the loose
and indefinite sense in which the term quantity has
been used by different writers on electricity. A cer-
tain quantity of electricity means exactly the same
thing as a certain quantity of anything else, that is, a
given amount of it. In the combination shown in fiff.
1, it was explained that a current of electricity would
flow between the poles C and C\ when these were
joined by a conductor. This current of electricity
arises from the action of the electro-motive force, and
is supposed to be maintained by the chemical combina-
tion of the zinc with the oxygen of the water, the zinc
being consumed exactly in proportion to the amount
of electricity developed. Therefore, we may, for the
purposes of this explanation, regard the electricity as
a component part of the zinc, which is set free when
the latter combines with oxygen. We may conceive,
then, that the zinc plate of a battery contains a certain
definite quantity of electricity, the same as the reser-
voir or vessel A. Figure 2 contains a definite quantity
of water above the line X X. Now, the less the resis-
tance of the pipe C, the greater will be the quantity of
water which will pass through it in a given time, and
the sooner will the water in A bo reduced to the level
of X X. Similarly, in a voltaic battery, the groater the
amount of current traversing the conductor joining its
poles in given time, the sooner will the original quan-
tity of electricity (which we may regard as having been
stored up in the zinc) bo exhausted.
Current.
From what has been said, it will readily be under-
stood that current is simply tho quantity of electricity
that passes through a given conductor or circuit in a
given time. To avoid circumlocution, the direction of
,i current is assumed to be from a higher to a lower
potential, and is usually spoken of as if this were really
the ease. Actually it is the recombining of the two
opposite or positive and negative electricities, which
have been separated bv an electro-motive fo>'ce, and,
therefore, strictly ipeaking, may be said to flow as
much in one direction as in tho other.
The strength of a constant current in any circuit —
thai is to say, the quantify of electricity that passes in
a given time — is equal al every point in (.he circuit.
This uniform current, throughout the circuit, is not in-
fluenced in the smallest degree, either by differences in
the resistance of different parts, or by differences in
the material of which the circuit, is composed. The
distinction of "quantity" and " intensify " currents,
formerly in vogue among electrioians, is entirely a fal-
THE TELEGRAPHER
[January 3, 1814.
lacious one. There is only one kind of current, and
tbat is a current of greater or less magnitude or
strength, by which we understood nothing more nor
less than the simple fact that it conveys a certain defi-
nite quantity of electricity past a given point in a given
time. Here, once again, we may refer to our illustra-
tion of the water flowing in the pipe 0, fig. 2. Sup-
pose this pipe to be replaced by a series of pipes of
various diameters, all of course filled with water, the
curreut of water from A to B will flow uniformly
through all of them. Precisely the same quantity of
water per second will flow through each section of the
pipe, whatever its diameter may be. It is true that
the velocity of the water varies in proportion to the
diameter of the different sections, but the current is
uniform throughout, in the sense that it is a current of
so many gallons per second.
The Government and the Telegraphs.
We stated a short time since (Oct. 4th, 1873) that
the railway companies had still some very large claims
upon the Government, arising out of the purchase of
the telegraphs by the State, and at that time not less
than forty-one claims were unsettled. Twelve of the
claims of the largest amounts have been submitted to
arbitration, including the North-Eastern, Midland,
Lancashire and Yorkshire, Great Eastern, London and
South"W"e$teru, Great Northern, North London, Ulster,
Metropolitan, Metropolitan "District, Metropolitan,
Hammersmith and City, and Metropolitan and St.
John's Wood. The latest returns to Parliament show
that the sum paid for taking over the telegraphs was
£5,847,347. It is probable that when the whole of
the claims are disposed of, the cost to the country will
not be far short of ten or twelve millions. With re-
gard to the claim of the Lancashire and Yorkshire and
other lines, we find the following in the Western
Morning Neios :
" An error of enormous magnitude has been discov-
ered in the Government telegraph accounts. Instead
of purchasing, as was supposed, a freehold and abso-
lute title, the Government finds that it purchased the
leasehold only from the telegraph companies, whose
rights were bought up in many instances. The tele-
graph lines were leased from the railway companies,
and what they sold was merely a lease of them. The
railway companies are represented as being now en-
gaged in preparing their claims. Some of- these, it ap-
pears, are uncomfortably large. The claim of the
Lancashire and Yorkshire Eailway for the telegraph,
which the Government fondly imagined it had pur-
chased from the Magnetic Company, amounts to
£950,000. The matter is to be referred to two arbi-
trators — Mr. Weaver, secretary of one of the^elegraph
companies, on the part of the Government^ and Sir
John Hawksbaw, on the part of the Lancashire and
Yorkshire Eailway. Sir John Karslake is to be um-
pire. The approach of an arbitration of much public
interest and importance, which is thus alluded to, can
scarcely, however, be fairly called an error, nor is it
possible that, in purchasing the rights of the telegraph
companies, the Government imagined itself to be ac-
quiring the whole of the privileges connected with
telegraphs in the country. The Telegraph Act, 1868,
after giving powers to purchase the undertakiugs of
telegraph companies, goes on to recite that the railway
companies on their part are either owners of telegraph's,
or they have contracts with telegraph companies
whose apparatus is placed in the stations and along the
railways and canals of the railway companies. Powers
are, therefore, given in this Act of 1868 to the Post-
master General to take the place of the telegraph com-
panies in such contracts with the railway companies,
and to pay the railway companies compensation,
either to be agreed upon or to be fixed by arbitrators,
for the loss of present and reversionary gains. The
Lancashire and Yorkshire Company is 'mentioned by
name in this Act as one of the railway companies with
which arrangements will have to be made, and no
agreement having been come to, although negotiations
have been going on ever since the passing of the Act,
the time has now come when a decision will have to be
arrived at by arbitration, as provided in the Act, and
before Sir John Karslake as umpire. Eminent counsel
have been retained on both sides. The Marquis of
Salisbury, as umpire, has already pronounced on a
somewhat similar claim, involving, however, a much
smaller amount than the sum to which, on the part of
the Lancashire and Yorkshire Company, it will pro-
bably be contended that company is entitled. The
Act of 1869 estimated £700.000 as 'a sufficient sum to
cover the whole expenses of the Government in this
part of the transfer of the telegraphs. The Lancashire
and Yorkshire Company alone now demand a million
or more. But it will be obvious tbat neither the Gov-
ernment nor the company is a fair judge of its own
cause, and the public will look with interest for the de-
cision of Sir John Karslake and his experienced asses-
sors. The arbitration will involve difficult and intri-
cate matters of account."— The Eailway News.
West India and Panama Telegraph.
The committee of shareholders appointed at the
annual meeting of the shareholders of the company on
the 17th November, 1873, report that their long de-
ferred hope of the completion of the telegraph system
of the company is now likely to be realized, the
steamships Minia and Kangaroo, in the service of the
Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company,
freighted with cables for duplicating the lines between
Jamaica and Porto Bico, and Dominica and Martinique,
having sailed on the 2d of December, and the Investi-
gator, in the service of the same company, having
sailed on the 8th of December, to repair the broken
cable of the Cuba Telegraph Company. After referring
at some length to the failures and shortcomings of the
past, which have resulted in the unquestionable diffi-
culties of the present, they state that they " cannot
but express their regret that more decided action was
not taken by the board immediately after the expira-
tion of the eleven months named in the contract for
the laying of the cables, and that, previously to the
commencement of litigation, more vigorous efforts
were not made to bring about an amicable adjustment
or arbitration by commercial men. The committee
have, as far as time would permit, looked through the
voluminous proceedings in this unfortunate Chancery
suit, and they came reluctantly to the opinion that it
was unadvisable, in the interests of this company, to
approach the defendants with a view to an amicable
settlement; but, in saying this, they are not by any
means without hope that, under a newly constructed
board, negotiations may not be advantageously opened
with a view to an amicable adjustment of differences.
The' committee cannot but suspect that, in the long-
continued discussions and correspondence which have
taken place between the directors and officers of this
company and the India Bubber Company, feelings have
been excited not favorable to the amicable solution of
the grave differences existing; and, entertaining this
opinion, the committee have come to the conclusion
that it is desirable'that some members of the present
board should retire, and that some gentlemen of larger
practical experience in the management of existing
submarine telegraph companies should be invited to
take seats at the board."
Remarkahle Operations.
B. Franklin made his name famous when he flew
his kite and brought down lightning from the clouds,
which had been flying around without paying its way.
Now we not only flash through on wires, but science
has grappled with electricity and used it to perform
miracles.. Our readers will remember that when Gen.
Kilpatrick returned from Chili, three years since, he
had a remarkable operation performed by a physician
in New York, who removed a large fleshy formation
from the General's neck by filling it full of needles
and then attaching a galvanic battery to it. Ten min-
utes after the current of electricity was let on the
bunch had entirely disappeared. A remarkable opera-
tion was performed by a Whitehall physician a few
days ago. A gentleman who had been suffering from
a superabundance of adipose tissue consulted a physi-
cian, asking for relief from his burden. The gentleman
consented, and, with the medical practitioner, entered
the telegraph office at this place. The fat man was
requested to "remove his coat and vest, after which,
the physician surrounded him with wires, attaching
the ends to a powerful galvanic battery. At a signal
from the doctor, Manager W. B. Eddy let on the cur-
rent. The patient writhed and twisted when he
felt the current passing around him, but he stood
it like a martyr. Presently he began to shrink; he
grew smaller and smaller and smaller; his clothing
hung in bags about his fast diminishing form. The
doctor felt much pleased at the result of his experi-
ment, while the formerly fat man's joy was very great,
although he seemed to be suffering the worst pain.
All of a sudden there was heard a loud clicking at the
instrument, as if Pandemonium's great hall had been
let loose. The operator sprang quickly to answer the
call. He ascertained it was from the New York office.
He quickly asked, " What's up 1" An answer came
back as if some demon was at the other end of the
wire: " Cut off your wires quick — you are filling the
New York office with soap grease !"
The Way the Cable Talks.
An operator sits at a table in a room darkened by a
curtain. On his left hand stands a little instrument,
named the " reflecting galvanometer," the invention
of Sir William Thompson, without which Atlantic
telegraphy would be a slow process — not exceeding
two or three words per minute, instead of eighteen or
twenty, the present rate.
This delicate instrument consists of a tiny magnet,
aud a small mirror swinging on a silk thread, the two
together weighing but a few grains. The electric cur-
rent, passing along the wire from Valencia, deflects
the magnet to and fro. The mirror reflects a spot o
light on to a scale, in a box placed at the operator'
right hand, where, by its oscillation, the spot of ligh
indicates the slight movements of the magnet, which
are too slight to be directly seen.
This little swinging maguet follows every change in
the received current, and every change, great or small,
produces a corresponding oscillation of the spot of
light on the scale. A code of signals is arranged by
which the movement of the spot of light is made to
indicate the letters of the alphabet.
When receiving a message from Valentia, the ope-
rator watches the movement of the little speck, which
keeps dancing about over the scale on his right. To
his practiced eye each movement of the spot of light
represents a letter of the alphabet, and its seemingly
fantastic motions are spelling out the intelligence which
the pulsing of the electric current are transmitting
between the two hemispheres. It is truly marvellous
to note how rapidly the experienced operator disen-
tangles the irregular oscillations of the little speck of
light into the letters and words which they repre-
sent.
» * »
Christinas Greeting- to a Telegraph Manager.
A loop extends from the main office of the Southern
aud Atlantic telegraph office at Charleston, S. C, to
the sleeping room of the manager, Mr. L. E. C. Moore.
At twelve o'clock, Christmas Eve, he heard his call,
" Em," and, upon answering, received the following
Christmas greeting.from the employes in the office :
" Main office, S. and A. Telegraph Co., Charleston,
S. C, Christmas Eve, 1873. To L. E. C. Moore,
manager.' — The employes of your office extend to you
and your family a happy Christmas greeting, and hope
that the ' circuit' of your happiness may be long, and
your course of life so ' adjusted ' as to catch every
'dot' of pleasure; that the "' sympathy ' that now
exists between us may never be interrupted by any
' ground ' of discord; that the strong 'iattcry' of
friendship now existing may never lose its ' insulation ;'
that ' escape ' of all trouble may ever be your fortune.
May our, each aud every 'manipulation' be ' conduc-
tive'' of your popularity as our manager ; may you and
yours ' dash' through life smoothly and steadily; may
the ' space ' of time be long extended ere our ' connec-
tion' be severed, and may nothing ever ' stick ' in the
friendly intercourse existing between us, is the wish of
your employes.
J. C. Duggan, Chief Operator.
A. L. Haynes, Night Manager.
A. J. Wright, Operator.
J. P. Finnigan, "
J. Phillip Bivers, "
Thos. F. Seattery, "
Alva B. Green, Clerk.
J. L. Smith, Lineman.
S. E. Bell, )
Jno. W. Eobinson, > Messengers."
H. E. Prior, )
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our
Correspondents. Our columns are open to free discussions
on all Telegraphic subjects, without distinction of person or
opinion.
No notice will be taken of anonymous communications.
Telegraphers Better than they are Represented.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
I notice that there is considerable said through
the columns of The Telegrapher in regard to the
morals of telegraphers, aud how they are looked upon
in social circles. Some of the writers are afraid that
matters are growing worse instead of improving, and
that operators are, as a general thing, a depraved and
almost an abandoned class of men. Now I think these
fears are not only unnecessary but groundless. Speak-
ing of the fraternity at large, it is true that there are
black sheep in all flocks. This is true in church and
state, and always has been and always will be to the
end of time. Our Saviour, when upon earth, chose
twelve disciples, and Christ himself said, " Have I not
chosen twelve, and one of them is a devil 1 ?" But
Christ also said, " Let the wheat aud the tares grow
together, but while ye root up the tares ye also root
up the wheat."
Now I have met a great many telegraphers, and
formed their acquaintance, and been associated with
them, and I must say that they are not the worst men ;
but, as a general rule, a more generous, whole souled
class of men you cannot find. They are always ready
to extend the helping hand whenever required. The
only mystery to me i's that telegraphers are not
more dissipated and reckless than they are, for most of
them have left home and home influence when quite
young, aud perhaps just at the very time they most
January 3, 1814.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
3
needed the kind admonitions of careful parents — when
they were moulding a life character. They have left
all this; and how many, many sweet influences are con-
nected with a Christian home ! God only knows the
influence of a mother. What heart does not thrill
with joy as they rememher a kind and loving mother,
who in their youth taught them their first prayer, and
told them of heaven and a Saviour, who had gone to
prepare a home for them, if good children ? Then how
that same gentle, loving mother would imprint the
good night kiss upon the cheek. Oh ! who can tell the
influence of a Christian mother 1 I well remember,
when I left the old homestead, how my mother bade
me farewell with tears streaming down her cheeks, and
bade me remember the advice and instruction received
from her.
Now this is not all romance, as many a one who will
read this can testify, and perhaps call to remembrance
home, thinking of that gentle, loving mother who so
often soothed their boyish sorrows. Perhaps she now
sleeps in the silent churchyard, and her spirit has gone
home to its eternal resting place. Now, who will not
think it strange, upon reflection, when duly considering
all the many privileges and home counsels that tele-
graphers are deprived of, that they are no worse than
they are? And, as I think back on my own experi-
ence, I have great reason to thank God for a pious
mother. Telegraphers are, to use a vulgar expression,
kicked from pillar to post, and the public do not, in the
way they should, appreciate the services rendered them
by the fraternity. They look upon them as a kind of
necessary evil, and generally treat them accordingly;
but we can bear all this, for ours is a noble calling, and
we have the consciousness of doing a noble work, and
if oar reward is not just upon earth, we are assured
that we are seen by our Heavenly Father in secret,
and shall be rewarded openly by him ; and, if that be
not until the great and final day, let us not despair,
but perform well and faithfully our part in life.
Let some one else speak upon this matter. It can
be made interesting. Melville.
♦-•-♦
The Bible, .and the Invention of the Telegraph.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
Some of your correspondents have been goiug back
in the history of -telegraphy for items of interest. Since
they have started on the backward course, I would like
to cite them to where we read in Nahum (ii, 4) of
chariots seeming like torches, and that they should
run like the lightning, with terrible collisions in the
highways ; and earlier still, by nearly a thousand years
(Job xxxviii, 35), inquire if the lightning could be sent to
convey intelligence ? Three millenials pass away and
Morse responds " it can ; " and to-day thousands of op-
erators throughout our land exclaim with Morse, " it
can."
In the language of another, we can say, " God has
shorn the lightning of its terror and laid it powerless
in our hands." "We should remember " we operators
are the mediums of one of the noblest uses that science
ever whispered into the ear of man." When we see
how rapidly this art has developed we cannot help but
admire its inventor. There is no name that the Ameri-
can people more deeply revere than that of Morse.
Magically, by the wonderful power of telegraphy,
months have been reduced to seconds, time ignored,
space powerless, man speaks to man in words of living
eloquence, though oceans separate them. High moun-
tains and broad rivers constitute no obstacle in the
path of this irresistible force. Everything yields to its
potent sway, and still stands aghast with wonder, con-
templating in amazement the mighty works of fellow
men, and exclaiming, " all is possible." It is. indeed,
the arteries through which beats the great pulse of
humanity— the public highway of thought.
S. L. C.
Consolidation of Competing Telegraph Lines the
Only Safety.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
The consolidation of the Pacific and Atlantic Tele-
graph lines with the Western Union, although not
unexpected, should awaken the managers of the com-
panies competing with the Western Union to the neces-
sity which exists for taking measures to consolidate
interests and to protect themselves against a
their
similar fate. Only in such a consolidation can there
be safety, and it is imperatively demanded by their
own interests and that of the public whom they serve.
It is the policy of the Western Union Company to
absorb competing companies one by one— and while
they remain separated, and to a more or less extent
divided in their interests, they cannot compete upon
anything Ida; equal terms with that organization,
The Atlantic and Pacific Company is the leading
telegraph organization outside of the Western Union
combination, and it would seem to be the part of wis-
dom for the managers of that company to take the
lead in the movement towards such a consolidation.
The defection of the Pacific and Atlantic Company
renders it necessary that the territory which it covered
should be occupied by new competing lines with the
least possible delay, and this can be done if the exist-
ing companies will unite their energies and resources
in practically one organization.
This course has been urged for years in The Tele-
grapher, and its recommendations in the premises
have met with general approval, but it has been un-
derstood that hitherto the Pacific and Atlantic Com-
pany has stood in the way of any advantageous ar-
rangement. That obstacle is now removed, and it is
to be hoped that we shall soon witness effective action
towards a consummation which all who have the per-
mauauce of telegraphic competition at heart must
desire. Consolidation.
*-♦-♦
How the Western Union Company Encourage
Inventors.
To the Editor of the Telegrapher.
The last number of the official organ contains an
elaborate illustrated description of the Milliken Re-
peater, filling two pages. This amount of space, how-
ever, was not sufficient to allow the writer room
enough to state that although the Western Union
Company are using between one and two hundred of
these repeaters ou their lines, yet, so far as heard from,
Mr., Milliken has never received a dollar of compensa-
tion from that company for the use of his invention ;
yet the actual money value of it to them since its
■ adoption must amount to a great many thousands of
dollars. This is paralleled by the case of Culgan, the
inventor of the well kuown switch-board, of which
hundreds and hundreds have- been used by the same
company, and no compensation was ever made either
to the inventor or his destitute widow. When they do
attempt to reward an inventor, they seem to be
equally unfortunate ; for the considerable sum of
money paid for the duplex patents, " $1 9,258 on ac-
count" {vide Mr. Orton's report), to all appearances
was paid to the wrong man, as almost every point
about the latter invention of any practical value, and
which was uot free to public use, was anticipated in
Parmer's patent of 1858, which has recently been ex-
tended for seven years. They are perfectly willing;
however, to pay a large sum for a fraudulent patent
like that of Page, not for legitimate business purposes,
but as au engine of oppression, for the purpose of
crushing any one who ventures to make use "of elec-
tricity in any way without paying tribute to their mo-
nopoly. To hear some of their officials talk, one
would think a man couldn't be killed by a stroke of
lightning without liabilitj^ of haviug a royalty col-
lected from his heirs. This is the way wealthy corpo-
rations reward worthy inventors. Justitia.
A Response to Nettie Bronson.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
That spicy little note from " Nettie Bronson," in
your last issue, was really so interesting that I shall
have to ask of you a small space to express my admira-
tion. "
Although never taking any particular interest in the
question as to the practicability of admitting ladies
into the profession, I have never been able to see why,
if they have the proper qualifications, those of the fair
sex should not have the same privilege to, the profes-
sion as we of the more unrefined persuasion. And
"Nettie's" idea of our sitting with our feet on the
table, etc., almost makes me believe that we are a sort
of a clownish set ; but I hope she does uot have as poor
an opinion of all of us as her description of the "gen-
tleman" (I should say not a very dear friend) to whom
she applied would seem to imply. If she does, fare-
well to all my hopes of reconciliation.
Not long since I was coworker in au office with a
very nice young lady, and the pleasure of smoking,
with all its attendant gratifications, had to bo dis-
pensed with ; but if Nettie could have seen with what
eagerness a pipe was grasped, as soon as the lady left
the office, I think she would have admired my martyr-
dom in foregoing such a pleasure ; yet, I assure her, I
made no complaint, and, in fact, think I was quite
cheerful.
I am afraid that Nettio felt a little " sour" when she
wrote that letter ; and, no doubt, if at that time any
poor unfortunate "fritegerse" had come in her way,
on his devoted cars would have fallen, with appalling
distinctness, " Yon plug!" lor I can say to her that I
have seen those of our sister operators who were quite
emphatic when their anger was aroused.
But as I should certainly expect to be withered at
Once by Nellie's sarcasm, I hereby disclaim any idea of
criticism, and announce myself in perfect sympathy
with her. Nettie presumes she should prefer a gentle-
man student. Allow me tosay that this, strange as it
may seem, striken me as being her finest point, especially
as she shows such a Christian spirit in her willingness
to help others.
I hope, if she has not an office now, she soon will
have. Let him who dare say nay, and I shall imme-
diately renounce all my knowledge of telegraphing and
apply for a position as student. Will Nettie look with
favor on the application % Frankie.
Exit of the Pacific and Atlantic Telegraph
Company.
Pittsburg, Pa., December 28.
To thf. Editor of The Telegrapher.
" The king is dead, long live the king." Last night at
6 o'clock the wires were cut off from the office of the
Pacific and Atlantic Telegraph Company in this city
and transferred to the Western Union office. Every-
thing had gone on in the usual way until the moment
of closing, and as we rose from our tables as the wires
were cut off at the switch-boards by Mr. Geo. Wynne,
the veteran repairman, we all felt as though parting
from old friends for the last time. For the last hour or
so before six o'clock the wires were almost entirely
occupied in farewell talks between the " boys" at the
termini, and along the line of the several wires.
Messages expressive of mutual regret at parting, and
wishes for future prosperity, were exchanged between
chief operators Long, at Chicago, and Hamilton, at
this place, on behalf of their respective forces.
We all felt sad, and the impressible " R. A." was ob-
served to draw forth a huge red silk handkerchief
and weep ; he then jammed his hat down over his eyes
and made for the door, fearful lest his emotion should
be seen.
The force here consisted of Messrs. Geo. A. Hamil-
ton, chief operator (day), M. M. Prescott, chief opera-
tor (night), R. W. Ledwith, assistant chief operator
(day), and Messrs. Fetch, Myers, Pollock, Byrne,
Muse, Barclay and Matthias, operators, all of whom,
it is understood, are to be transferred, for the present at
least, to the Western Union office. M. S.
Another Problem.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
Supposing four points, A, B, C and D, to be connected
by telegraph lines, each being at an equal distance, say
10 miles from the point E. there being available only
just enough material to construct 40 miles of single wire
line, how can it be arranged so that each office can work
direct with either of the others, without the use either of
loops or of repeaters ?
C
The diagram shows the arrangement of wires and
stations above described. B.
Answer to Correspondent.
Occasional. — Your items of the 10th ult. were aecidently over-
looked last week. Sorry, and will try not to have it occur
agaiu.
Mr. Frank N. Diament has resigned his position
of assistant agent and operator of the North Pennsyl-
vania, and North East Penn. Railroad at Abington,
Pa., and accepted a position with the Lehigh Valley
Railroad at TnnkhannocK, Pa.
Mr. J. B. Shute has accepted the position of agent
and operator at Abington, Pa., resigned by Mr. 1)ia-
ment. Mr. Shute was a former resident of California,
and his many friends on the Pacific Coast will no
doubt be pleased to hear from him.
Mr. John Murphy, operator in the general agout's
office of the North Perm. It. R. at Philadelphia, Pa., has
been absent on leave of absence to his home in Rich-
mond, "Va.
Mr. Geo. H. Wilson has been appointed agent and
operator of the North Penn. R.R.at Eellertown, Pa.
r riii>: total number of messages forwarded from postal
telegraph stations in the United Kingdom during the
week ended December 6, L873, was 339,099— an in-
creas i tin; corresponding week of IH72 of 53,453.
The total traffic receipts of the Great Northern Tele-
graph for the month of November amounted i<> 314,573
fr. (£12,583), and forthe same month in l872to229,187
IV. (£9,167), showing an iuoreas>e of £3,416. Tin; receipts
on tin' European lines amounted to L66,563 fr., against
124,915 fr., and on the China and Japan lines to
148,010 fr., against 104,272 fr.
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[January 3, 18*14
The Telegrapher
Devoted to the Interests
OF THE
TELEGRAPHIC FRATERNITY.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 1874.
THE TELEGRAPHER:
PUBLISHED EVERT SATURDAY at 38 VESET ST.
T E TXT T H VOLUME.
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J. N. ASHLEY, Publisher,
(P. O. Box 5503.) 38 VESEY ST. , New York.
T
HE TELEGRAPHER.
A JOURNAL OF ELECTRICAL PROGRESS,
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS
OF THE
Telegraphic Fraternity and the Advancement
of Electrical Science and the
Telegraphic Art.
Published Every Saturday,
AT
No. 38 VESEY STREET, New York.
TENTH VOLUME.
The Tenth Volume of THE TELEGRAPHER will
commence with the number for SATURDAY, JANUARY 3d,
1874, and will close with the year.
All the popular features of the paper will be continued, and it
will be improved from time to time, as opportunity shall offer.
THE TELEGRAPHER
has now, for nearly ten years, been maintained upon its merits,
and without patronage or support, other than that derived from
its legitimate business, for the past five years. (Previous to that
time it was partially maintained by the National Telegraphic
Union.)
The TENTH VOLUME commences under favorable auspices,
and it may be said that it enjoys the entire confidence of the
TELEGRAPHIC FRATERNITY,
whose organ it is and will continue to be. It is a thoroughly
INDEPENDENT TELEGRAPHIC NEWSPAPER,
bound to, or in the inteiesis of no telegraphic clique or com-
bination, but honestly devoted to the interests of the
PRACTICAL TELEGRAPHERS.
As heretofore, no labor, time or expense, warranted by the
patrouag.- received, will be spared to improve its character, and
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first class
ELECTRICAL AND TELEGRAPHIC JOURNAL
UPON THE
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All-communications relating to or intended for THE TELE-
GRAPHER must be addressed to
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(P. O. Box 5503,) NEW YORK.
The New Year and the New Volume of The
Telegrapher.
A ISTew Tear has dawned upon the world, and will
be in its third day when these lines reach our readers.
The Christmas and New Tear festivities have nearly-
closed, and it is time to address ourselves once more to
the serious every day business of life. The customary
compliments and greetings have been exchanged, and
the New Tear is with us, with what of pleasure or
pain, joy or sorrow, success or failure, will be duly
solved by the swiftly passing days, weeks and months
which, in due course, shall bring us to 1875.
With the ISTew Tear The Telegrapher commences
its Tenth Volume, and will, we trust, coutiuue to be
a welcome weekly visitor to all of its old friends and
subscribers and to many new ones. Its prospects for-
tbe future are apparently as good or better than
ever before in its history, and its usefulness, we hope,
will be even more marked than at any previous time
since it was first established. The volume which has
just been closed, although not in all respects what we
had hoped to make it, still has been, we think, a de-
cided improvement upon those which have preceded it.
We are under obligation to many friends for their valu-
able contributions to its columns during the year, and
are assured of the continuance of their favors, and of
contributions from others which will have a tendency
to increase the value and iuterest of the paper. We
have no special promises to make in regard to The
Telegrapher, further than that all its valuable and in-
teresting features will be continued, and such improve-
ments and additions made, from time to time, as ad-
ditional experience and more ample facilities and
means shall render possible and practicable.
The evidences that we are constantly receiving of
fuller appreciation, and increasing and widening inter-
est in The Telegrapher, are very gratifying, and
stimulate us to renewed efforts to make it worthy of
the high position which it has obtained as an authority
in electrical science and telegraphic art, and as the
onlyiudependent and reliable telegraphic journal in
this country. Representing as it does the practical
telegraphers of the country, wherever known and
by whom employed, and not crippled by compli-
cation with any telegraph company, combination or
clique, it can afford to be a really independent pub-
lication — and, as such, it is our especial pride to main-
tain it. It is for the telegraphers themselves, whom it
represents, to say how long its present policy and
character shall be maintained. If they continue to
support it by their subscriptions and influence it shall
not be found wanting. It has passed through some
apparently dark days, but, we believe, has never
forfeited or lost the confidence of the practical tele-
graphers of the country.
We had hoped to still further enlarge the paper
with the commencement of the new volume, but
have deemed it advisable uot to do so at present.
Such enlargement involves not only considerable
increase of the cost of publication, but also of labor
and care, which we are not in a condition to
bestow just now. If the patronage received shall
be sufficient to warrant it, and other things shall
he favorable, we may make this enlargement during the
present volume. We can truly say that the prospects
of The Telegrapher were never more encouraging
than at the present time. Notwithstanding the depres-
sion in business its circulation is increasing, and of ad-
vertising we have more offered than we can hud
room for. All things considered, we anticipate for the
new volume a success which shall equal, if not excel
that of auy which has preceded it. To realize this
anticipation, however, we must rely upon the con-
tinued active cooperation of our telegraphic friends,
who have not heretofore failed us.
In conclusion, we would ask every telegrapher,
who believes that it is important to the welfare, instruc-
tion and best interests of the fraternity, that The Tele-
grapher, as its organ and representative, should be
maintained,' to use his or her influence to add to its
circulation and influence. With such an active and
easily afforded cooperation, its subscription list would
soon be doubled and trebled — and with increase of cir-
culation comes increase of influence and usefulness.
With thanks to the kind friends who have by their
generous efforts given the new volume encouragement
in the way of additional patronage, and with the compli-
ments of the season to one and all of our readers,
we uow start the Tenth Yolume of The Telegrapher
with favoring winds upon its brief, but, we hope and
believe, prosperous voyage through the coming year.
The Postmaster General and the Western Union
Telegraph Company.
Postmaster General Cresswell, in his efforts t o
induce Congress to confide to bis Department the man-
agement of the telegraphs of the country, seems to be
peculiarly unfortunate. Actuated by an ambition
rival the fame of Mr. Scudamore in England, who
succeeded in securing to the Post-office and himself
the administration of the telegraphs of the United
Kingdom, after a severe and protracted contest with
the companies that owned them, Mr. Cresswell en-
tered npou the task of obtaining a similar triumph here
with great confidence, and a manifest disregard of the
existing telegraph interests. He was nut long in dis-
covering, however, that the undertaking was a much
more arduous one than he had calculated upon, and
that Congress did not incline much to the course which
he recommended, and which he had, by elaborately
prepared, but, as it was fouud when analyzed, fallacious
and unreliable statistics, endeavored to show would
prove a popular and profitable one. President Orton
and the Western Union Telegraph Company entered the
lists against the proposed confiscation of their property
and interests zealously and successfully, and, as a con-
sequence, our worthy Postmaster General lost his tem-
per, and, in the report which he presented at the open-
ing of the present session of Congress, he attacked
both the Company and Mr. Orton personally in a sav-
age and most unusual manner. To this Mr. Orton
has just issued a reply, which caustically reviews
Mr. Cresswell's report, and puts him in a most un-
comfortable aud unenviable position. The length of
this reply, which fills a pamphlet, of 38 pages, precludes
its publication entire in our columns, but we will en-
deavor to give briefly the more important features of it.
The Postmaster General is unfortunate in his treat-
ment of the subject. He is so evidently unreasonable,
ill tempered, inconsistent and illogical, as to damage
his own case, and prevent his suggestions and recom-
mendations having the weight and influence desired.
It is evident to him, as to everybody else, that the
proposition for a Government telegraph monopoly, in-
stead of gaining, loses grouud, and that there is no
reasonable prospect of success; but he apparently de-
sires to do as much damage as possible to the party or
parties whom he regards as largely responsible for his
ill success.
Mr. Orton's reply is in the form of a communication
addressed to the Postmaster General personally. The
communication gives the following explanation of the
reasons which have impelled such an unusual course
on the part of Mr. Orton, who says:
" I have before me an official copy of the Report of
the Postmaster General for the fiscal year ending Juue
30, 1873, which contains statements concerning the
policy and management of the Western Union Tele-
graph Company, including allusions to myself, which
are so erroneous, unjust and personal, that it seems in-
credible they should have been made by a Cabinet
Minister in an official communication to the President
for transmission to the Congress of the United States.
" That it is an unusual proceeding for a private citizen
to publicly address a communication to a Cabinet Min-
ister upon the subject of an official report, is admitted.
On the other hand, I believe it is equally unprecedented
for a Cabinet officer, in a public report to the Presi-
dent, to select for official animadversion a business
lawfully prosecuted, or a citizen who has infringed no
law ; aud, therefore, if any justification is needed, it will
be fouud in the extraordinary character of the paper to
which this is a reply. It seems due to the owners of
property whose value may be impaired by official mis-
representation, to the public, who are largely inter-
ested in the proper conduct of the telegraph business,
January 3, 1814.]
THE TELEGRAPHER
and also to the managers of a corporation who have been
held up to public reprobation by the head of one of the
most important Executive Departments of the Gov-
ernment, that his errors should be plainly pointed out,
and the facts fully and fairly stated."
He then proceeds to give a brief history of what the
Government has done for the telegraph, its whole
assistance to this important interest having been com-
prized in an appropriation of $30,000 to bnild the ex-
perimental line from "Washington to Baltimore, and a
subsidy of $40,000 per year, for ten years, to the first
line to California, which latter was more than repaid
by the transmission of Government despatches over it
without other charge. He then contrasts the munifi-
cent liberality of the Government to railroads with its
niggardliness to the telegraph, showing " Hundreds of
Millions of Government aid to Railroads and but thirty
thousand to the Telegraph !"
He then considers the Act of 1866, which conferred
certain privileges upon telegraph companies, but n
return extorted from them an agreement to sell their
lines to the Government, at its option, upon appraisal,
at any time after five years; a contract which the tele-
graph companies have never repudiated, but which the
Postmaster General— neither Congress nor the people
giving any indication of intention of enforcing — desires
repudiated, and a partial Government competition
established, to depreciate and destroy the value of the
property which Congress may desire hereafter to pur-
chase.
He then proceeds to review the proposed legislation
in Congress, looking to a postal telegraph. He quotes
from the Report of the Postmaster General in 1872 the
following paragraph :
" I am decidely of opinion that if the people inter-
ested require a postal telegraph, it should bo entirely
in the hands of the Government. If, on the contrary,
a postal telegraph is not so demanded, then the Gov-
ernment should not favor one private company to the
exclusion of another, nor should it in any wise enter
into competition with private enterprise.'"
The Report of the Postmaster General, in 1872, fixed
the value of the existing telegraph property in the
country at $11,880,000, while the only estimate sub-
mitted in his report, from an expert, was that the lines
could be duplicated for $18,250,000, if the material
could be imported free of duty — while Mr. Orton as-
serts that the property was worth in the market not
less than $50,000,000. The Postmaster General, in the
report under consideration, expresses " full confidence "
in the correctness of the estimates in his previous
report. The communication says :
" The Government has the right to buy the property
of the Company thus assailed, and the utterance of
official opinions calculated to prejudice the public
mind as to its value, looks like an attempt to forestall
the award of the arbitrators, and to compel the owners
to accept a sum less than that to which they consider
themselves entitled, rather than take the risk of inciting
greater official hostility. The injustice of such a pro-
ceeding will be apparent to any one who will examine
the facts."
In his report the Postmaster-General asserts that
" the opposition to the postal telegraph comes almost
entirely from the telegraph companies and those di-
rectly interested with them in sustaining their monop-
oly," and that " every intelligent, disinterested ob-
server, who has seen the workings of the Government
system abroad, gives them the decided preference."
Mr. Orton briefly but effectually refutes both of
of these statements. " The press," he says, " are al-
most unanimously opposed to it, and there is no evi-
dence that even a respectable minority of the people
desire its assumption by the Government." These
facts are evident to everybody outside of tho Postmas-
ter General's office, and it is difficult to believe that he
makes the statements with an intelligent faith in their
correctness.
The assertions of the Postmaster General that "under
the present management the use of the telegraph by
the masses of the people is almost prohibited by reason
of arbitrary rates, unnecessarily high charges and a
want of facilities," and that " it may, however, be re-
garded as settled, that whilo under tho control of pri-
vate companies, whose chief object is to make a profit
for their stockholders, and whose skill and labor are
expended in efforts to advance the price of their stock,
and to enforce the highest rates to which the people
can be made to submit, the telegraph will never be-
come a general medium of correspondence," are dis-
cussed at considerable length by Mr. Orton, and their
fallacy shown by statistics of the telegraph service in
this country and in Europe — by which it appears that
the telegraph is more generally used here than in any
country in Europe, and that the rates of charges are
no higher, relatively, than in countries where the tele-
graph is a Government system. Statistics are 'also
given which show that, with the exception of Russia,
the Government telegraphs are worked at an absolute
loss ; and in Russia, which made a profit of 4,000,000
francs out of its telegraph service in 1872, the average
charge per message was about 5% francs, while the
present average tariff for messages in the United States
is but fifty cents— about 2£ francs for a message of ten
words — date, address and signature being free.
The following will no doubt be endorsed by every
person familiar with the telegraph business :
" It is strictly true that the chief object of the com-
panies is to make profit for their stockholders. It is
for that purpose alone that private parties have in-
vested capital in the telegraph business ; and there is
no good reason why the investors in such property,
and those to whom they have entrusted its manage-
ment, should be subjected to the invidious rhetoric of
a Cabinet officer, more than citizens engaged in other
legitimate industries ; neither should their efforts to
make the business remunerative and the property
valuable, by lawful means, be made the subject of
official condemnation. The present telegraphic facili-
ties are adequate to meet all the demands upon them.
In no other country have telegraphic facilities in-
creased so largely, during the last few years, as in the
United States. This increase has not only kept pace
with the public demand, but in many sections has
anticipated it. "While in other countries the cost of
telegraphic extension, and in some of them a part of
the cost of its operation, has been paid from the public
treasury with moneys raised by taxation upon the
people, in the United States the extensions have been
made entirely by private capital, furnished by private
citizens."
The review of the Postmaster General's statements
in regard to the automatic system we have not space
to consider in this article, but will consider specially
hereafter. Mr. Orton endeavors to show that the
automatic system is really slower and more expensive
than the Morse, but the facts do not bear out the as-
sumptions made, as will be shown in a future article.
The Postmaster General states that " there are now
but two parties in the controversy over the postal tele-
graph — on the one side the people, on the other the
Western Union Telegraph Company."
To this special pleading Mr. Orton says :
" It was stated early in the report that the opposi-
tion to the postal telegraph came from the telegraph
companies (in the plural) and those directly interested
with them in sustaining their monopoly. Further re-
flection appears to have induced the Postmaster Gene-
ral to modify this opinion — to suspend sentence upon
all parties except the Western Union, and to concen-
trate upon that company and its officers the entire
weight of his condemnation."
It might very properly have been said that in the
postal telegraph scheme there are but two parties — tho
Postmaster General and a very limited following — -and
in active opposition or indifferent to it nearly the
entire press of the country and almost the whole body
of the people.
The Postmaster General having made serious charges
against the Western Union Company and its efforts to
destroy rivals, Mr. Orton replies to these at some
length and defends the company, and asserts that if
its rivalsj have been vanquished it was " cither be-
cause they did not possess, tho facilities requisito for
doing sufficient business to enable them to pay its ex-
penses, or because the rates they insisted upon estab-
lishing proved to be unremunerativc, or because they
failed to conduct their business to tho satisfaction of
tho public."
"The charge that tho "Western Union Company
' have not scrupled to uso any device which the power-
ful can employ against the weak, and failing in the
open field of fan- competition, have resorted to artifice,
and have triumphed by making gold their weapon,' is
absolutely groundless, and if uttered by one less dis-
tinguished than the Postmaster General, would deserve
to be characterized as a pompous slander. If pub-
lished by one private individual in respect to another,
it would make its author liable to an action for dam-
ages. * * It has the right to acquire a monopoly of
the telegraph business by serving the public better and
cheaper than auy other parties are able or willing to
serve it ; but if it be true, as stated in the report, that
its competitors have been ' vanquished ' by the reduc-
tion of rates, does not that fact destroy the chief sup-
port on which the postal telegraph scheme rests? If
private companies cannot pay expenses at present rates,
how is it expected that the Government can make a
profit at still lower rates V
In conclusion, Mr. Orton says :
" There only remains to be considered the re-
commendation of the Postmaster General, that
Congress authorize the construction of lines re-
quired for the immediate establishment of the postal
telegraph. Can it be that the Postmaster General
expected a proposition to be seriously considered
which contemplates employing public moneys, collect-
ed from the people by taxation, to set up the Govern-
ment in business as the competitor of private citizens ?
Coming from an executive officer of a Republican Gov-
ernment, whose powers are defined and limited by a
constitution and laws, the proposal is simply mon-
strous. If there were no such prohibition in the Con-
stitution, the common sense of an intelligent people
would revolt at the suggestion that private property
should be taken for public use without just compensa-
tion. But to use public moneys to destroy private
property by Governmental competition, would be more
unjust than to take it without compensation. In the
latter case its owners would lose only its value, while
in the former they would make the same loss, and, in
.addition thereto, be obliged to contribute in taxes their
pro rata share of the cost of its destruction. The own-
ers of telegraph property, startled as they may well be
at this extraordinary proposal, need have no apprehen-
sion of its being carried into effect. The people of the
United States are intelligent and just, and the Con-
gress they have chosen, faithfully representing them,
will require the Government to show the same respect
for private property and private rights that the common
law requires each citizen to show to every other."
We have been obliged to pass over many points in
this communication which we should be pleased to
consider, and merely refer to others which deserve more
extended notice. We will only add, in conclusion,
that the argument is all against the Postmaster Gen-
eral, and that, before he again enters the lists, he had
better regain his good temper, devote some further
time to the consideration of the subject, and then dis-
play his acquired wisdom by letting it severely alone.
*-«-♦
The Railroad Telegraph Operators and The
Telegrapher.
When, two or three years since, recognizing the im-
portance which railroad telegraphy had assumed, we
dovoted special attention to railroad telegraphy and
telegraphers, we did so because we considered that it
was due to both. Before that time little attention had
been paid to this important interest, and it had been
regarded as rather a reproach than otherwise to be
ranked, as a " railroad telegrapher." All this has been
measurably changed now, and many of tho ablest elec-
tricians and practical telegraphers arc engaged in the
railroad telegraph service. Certainly there is no brauch
of telegraphy which requires more ability and relia-
bility upon the part of the operators than that connec-
ted with the railroads of the country. Upon the ability
and reliability of these persons not uufrequently de-
pend the safety of lives and property, and they seldom
fail at tho critical moment. Although not generally as
well paid as commercial operators, their duties arc
usually more arduous and their responsibilities much
greater. "Wo think that their condition is gradually
improving, and if Tiik Telegrapher can in any way
aid in such improvement, its influence shall not bo
lacking.
Tho railroad telegraphers of the country have not
been slow to recognize aud appreciate the position
taken by The Telegrapher in relation to them, and
some of our most valued contributors, and no incon-
siderable number of our subscribers are connected with
tho railroad telegraph service Wo hope that both
THE TELEGRAPHER
[January 3, 1814.
will be increased during the coming year, and that
they may be fully satisfied that The Telegrapher
not only desires but intends to do them justice, and
that it is not without influence in their behalf.
A Valuable Contribution.
"We would direct the special attention of onr scien-
tific readers to the valuable and instructive series of
papers on, The Elementary Principles of Electrical
Measurement, the first of which appears in the present
issue. As a complete exposition of the very latest dis-
coveries and theories in electricity, it will be found to
be a contribution of great and permanent value to the
literature of the subject.
Special Notice.
The present number of The Telegrapher— the first
of Vol. X — will be sent to subscribers Whose subscrip-
tions expired with the last number of Vol. IX, whose
renewal of their subscriptions has not been received.
It is hoped that all who have not yet sent their renewal
will do so at once, if not the paper will be discontinued
after the present issue.
♦*-«
Back Numbers of the Telegrapher Wanted.
Our supply of the following numbers of Volume IX
of The Telegrapher is exhausted :
Numbers 342, 351 and 334.
We would be obliged to any of our friends who may
have either of them to spare if they will forward them
to us to complete files.
lite lilipnpit.
Election of Officers of the Southern and Atlantic
Telegraph Company.
At the adjourned annual meeting of the Southern
and Atlantic Telegraph Company, held in this city on
Wednesday, December 17, 1873, Mr. James E. Cren-
shaw was reelected President of the company for the
ensuing year. At a meeting of the directors of the
company (whose election was noted in The Tele-
grapher of December 20th last) the following elec-
tions were made : Mr. Charles W. Blossom, Vice-
President ; Mr. W. K. Gardner, Secretary and Treas-
urer; Mr. George H. Grace, General Superintendent. ,
The following gentlemen were elected Executive
Committee: Messrs. Francis Morris, H. Hentz, C. W.
Blossom and Henry Morgan.
The President is ex officio a member and chairman
of the Board of Directors, and of the Executive Com-
mittee.
The lines of the company now extend to Selma,
Alabama, and will soon be constructed to New
Orleans, La.
*-»-*
Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Atlantic
and Pacific Telegraph Company.
The annual meeting of the stockholders of the
Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Company will be held
at the executive offices of the company, 102 Broadway,
in this city, January 28th.
Exit the Pacific and Atlantic Telegraph Com-
pany.
The wires of the Pacific and Atlantic Telegraph
Company have been turned over to the Western Union
Telegraph Company, and the former, as a practical
telegraph organization, has ceased to exist.
The receipts of the Submarine Telegraph Company
for the month of November, 1873, amounted to £8,851,
against £8,485 for the corresponding month of the
previous year.
New Patents.
jg®- Official Copies of any XT. S. Patent issued since July
1st, 1871, including drawings, specifications and claims in full, sent
free to any address for 25 cents each. Address F. L. Pope, P. O.
Box 5503, New York City.
For the week ended December 2, 1873, and bearing that date.
145,064.— Telegraph Cut-out. William G. Linn, Bloomfield,
Iowa. Application filed April 21, 1873.
Central revolving disk, with a metallic raised rim divided into
two equal parts by insulating Bpaces. Disk revolved in one
direction connects B to B and B' to B', cutting the office out ;
reversing connects B to B' and B to B'.
The movable disk, with its separated conducting strips, com-
bined with the conducting arms B B B' B\ substantially as de-
scribed.
145,128. — Telegraph Register. William H. Sawyer, New York,
N. Y., assignor to the American District Telegraph Company,
same place. Application filed October 17, 1873.
Employs principle of screw thread unison of printers to arrest
clock work of registers, preventing running down and waste of
paper when not in use.
1. The combination, with the pen lever of a telegraphic regis-
tering or recording apparatus, of a shaft, Y, provided with a
screw, S, and stop piece X, a pivoted lever, L, carrying a pin, XJ,
a supporting arm, K, and a retracting spring, O, substantially as
and for the purposes herein specified.
2. The combination, with the screw S and pin TJ, of the pivoted
lever L, the latter being made flexible for the whole or a portion
of its length, substantially as and for the purposes herein speci-
fied.
3. The combination, with the arms R and L, of the adjustable
stop V, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
145,143.— Non-freezing Battery. Edward H. Ashcroft, Boston,
Mass. Application filed October 30, 1873.
A number of battery cups are arranged upon shelves in a sub-
terranean casing, containing a lamp and having ventilating
pipes.
The out door battery, composed of cells C, enclosed in a sub-
terranean close chamber, and provided with lamp D, pipe E for
supplying fresh air, and vent F, for escape of the battery fumes
and products of combustion.
Born.
Larkin.— At Kobe, Japan, the wife of Mr. Thok. J. Larkin,
Superintendent of the Imperial Telegraph Department, of a
daughter.
Sparks.— At Abington, Pa., Nov. 30, 1873, to Mr. George L.
Spauks, Agent of the North Pennsylvania and Northeast Penn-
sylvania Railroads, a male sounder.
Married.
Finks— Brown.— At Waco, Texas, Dec. 17th, 1873, Mr. J. H.
Finks, Manager of the Western Union Telegraph, to Miss Fannie
Brown, of that place.
Died.
Upson. — At his residence in Burlington, Vt., at 3 o'clock on the
morning of December 22d, 1873, of consumption, Henry S. Up-
son, aged 31 years.
Mr. Upson had been in the telegraphic service for about fifteen
years, being employed most of the time at 145 Broadway, New
York, and Burlington, Vt. He leaves a wife and one child.
HOCHHAUSEN,
Manufacturer of
ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS,
132 WILLIAM STREET (rear),
Between Fulton and John Streets, NEW YORK.
One half of actual size
PATENT SELF-CLOSING KEY;
(Patented October 27, 1873.)
Price $5 50
The lever of this Key swings in two directions, vertical and
horizontal. A spring presses it against an adjustable contact
point on right hand side.
In sending with this key take hold of the knob and move to the
left, this opens the circuit, then operate in the ordinary way. As
soon as released the lever swings back against side contact point,
closing the circuit.
The Platina Points are large and hard.
Self-Starting Register, of new design, protected by a Glass
Shade, complete, with Paper Reel and Weight. . $50 00
Sounders, from 4 50 to $6 50
Electric Bells, single stroke or continuous ringing,
from 5 00 to 8 00
Relays, from 9 50 to 16 00
Improved Switch Keys, from 3 00 to 5 60
Send for Illustrated Circulars.
The above may also be had of F. L. POPE & CO., 38 Vesey street,
New York, at Manufacturer's prices.
Anson Stager,
Pres't.
Elisha Gray,
Sup't.
Enos M. Barton,
Sec'y.
ESTERN ELECTRIC MANUFACTUR-
ING COMPANY.
No. 220 KINZIE STREET, CHICAGO.
TELEGRAPH, WIRES, INSTRUMENTS,
BATTERIES, TOOLS,
INSULATORS and SUPPLIES.
Annunciators for Hotels, Steamships, Dwellings.
Our Annunciators are the most extensively used and the most
perfect in operation.
Automatic Mercury Fire Alarm, for Hotels, Steam-
ships, Public Buildings.
Five years' operation have proved its merits.
SEND FOB CIRCULAR.
HAMBLET'S ELECTRO-MACKNETIC "WATCH CLOCKS AND
TIME DIALS.
Western Electric M'f'ff Co., Chicago.
TELEGRAPH WIRE, Numbers 8, 9 and 12.
UNION BRAND, AND
UNION BRAND EXTRA QUALITY.
JOHNSON'S WIRE.
BROOKS' INSULATORS, GLASS INSULA-
TORS and BRACKETS.
KENOSHA INSULATORS, all kinds.
PAINTED CROSS-ARMS.
KENOSHA CROSS-ARMS.
OFFICE WIRE, many varieties.
COPPER & COMPOUND KERITE WIRE.
CABLES TO ORDER.
Western Electric M'f'g Co., Chicago.
ODERN PRACTICE OF THE ELEC-
TRIC TELEGRAPH.
A HAND-BOOK
FOB
ELECTRICIANS AND OPERATORS.
By FRANK L. POPE.
Seventh Edition, Revised and Enlarged by the addition of 40
pages of New Matter on
RECENT IMPROVEMENTS,
AND
FULLY ILLUSTRATED.
Bvo, cloth., - - - - • $2.00
4gg™ Copies sent free by mail on receipt of price.
My new Catalogue of American and Foreign Scientific Books
sent per mail, on receipt of ten cents.
D. VAN NOSTRAND, Publisher,
23 MURRA Y STREET and 27 WARREN STREET.
OITUATION DESIRED.
A Situation is desired by the subscriber as a Telegraph Operator.
She has had nine years' experience, and has filled responsible
positions in Commercial and Railroad offices satisfactorily, but
is at present without an engagement. Would prefer a situation
in an office in some city, or place of moderate size, where she
could have an office by herself — either in a Commercial or Rail-
road office.
Any person knowing of such,a situation, or desirous of engag-
ing her services, will please address
Miss A. NIXON,
Hobart, Lake County, Indiana.
January 3, 1874.]
THE TELEGRAPHER
in
AN IC PRICES.
OUR PROMTS HAVING BEEN AMPLE,
WE OFFER OUR CUSTOMERS THE
BENEFITS OF THE RECENT
REDUCTION
IN THE COST OF LABOR AND MATERIAL.
ALL WHO NEED
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS and SUPPLIES,
IN
Large or Small Quantities,
WILL CONSULT THEIR OWN INTERESTS BY PURCHASING
FROM US.
SEND FOR OUR NEW PRICE LIST.
A Special Discount given on Cash Purchases.
GEO. H. BLISS'& CO.,
41 THIRD AVENUE,
Chicago, 111.
G
EO. H. BLISS & CO.,
41 THIRD AVENUE,
Chicago, III.
TELEGRAPHIC ELECTRICAL AND MEDICAL APPARATUS.
Agents for KIDDER'S MEDICAL APPARATUS.
" " AMERICAN COMPOUND WIRE.
" JONES' LOCK SWITOH BOARD.
" ROBERTSON'S BATTERY INSULATOR.
'« HILL'S GRAVITY BATTERY.
" HILL'S HOTEL ANNUNCIATOR and FIRE ALARM.
" MCPHERSON'S IRON BATTERY.
" THE AMATEUR TELEGRAPH APPARATUS.
" PUTT'S MECHANICAL INSTRUMENTS.
" KENOSHA INSULATOR.
" " BROOKS'
" UNITED STATES ELECTRIC GAS LIGHTING COM-
PANY.
" POPE'S RAILWAY SIGNALS.
" " EAGLES METALLIC (RESERVOIR) BATTERY.
" SELDEN'S PRINTERS.
" ANDERS' MAGNETIC DIAL AND PRINTER.
IMPROVED AMATEUR SOUNDERS.
AN EXTRA FINISHED AND GOOD WORKING SOUNDER,
No. 3 $4 00
A WELL FINISHED AND GOOD WORKING SOUNDER,
No. 4 3 00
A WELL FINISHED AND GOOD WORKING KEY, No. 4. i 00
Instruments, Line Material, Office Wire, Magnet Wire, Tools,
Battery Material, Chemicals, Books, Stationery,
constantly on hand.
flO- Special attention given to REPAIRS and MODEL WORK.
npHE GALVANOMETER AND ITS USES.
JL A MANUAL FOR
ELECTRICIANS AND OPERATORS.
By C. H.HASKINS,
WITH ILLUSTEATIONS.
18ino, Pocket Form, morocco tuck $2.00
D. VAN N0STKAND, Publisher,
23 Murray St. and 27 Warren St.
*** Copies sent free by mail on receipt of price.
EDUCTION OF PRICES.
POPULAR, EXCELLENT and ECONOMICAL.
THE NONPAREIL
TELEGRAPH APPARATUS,
Por AMATEUKS, STUDENTS and SHORT LINES.
Since the introduction of this Pioneer Low Priced Telegraph In-
strument, a little over a year and a half since, nearly 2,000
have been sold, and they arc constantly more and more sought
after.
Hereafter we shall furnish them at the following popular rates :
Single Instruments, including Three Cells Battery, Con-
necting Wire, Chemicals and Instruction Book $6 50
Two sets of Instruments, etc 12 00
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
F. L. POPE & CO.,
[P. O. Box 5503.] 38 Tesey Street, N. Y.
ECLANCHE BATTERIES.
O A U T.I O N .
Ail persons are hereby notified that Batteries infringing upon
our patents are in the market (some of them nearly worthless).
The public are warned against using any such infringements, as
in every case the guilty parties will De prosecuted to the fullest
extent of the law. The genuine Batteries have the words "Pile
Leclanche " on the carbons and glasses. Any information con-
cerning such infringements will be thankfully received by the
Leclanche Battery Co.,
JVo. i.0 West fSth Street.
New York, October 11, 1873.
rpiLLOTSON'S EXCELSIOR
1 TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT.
,; : ,, : v.
1
1*1
X
(PATENTED JUNE 24, 1873.)
-WK§>~ —
This apparatus is constructed of the best material, and finished
equal to any Telegraph Instrument, and is warrauted first class
in every particular. It is especially adapted to the require-
ments of Students of Telegraphy and the operation of Private
Telegraph Lines.
Price, complete, Sounder and Key mounted on finely
finished Mahogany Base, with one Cell Hill's Patent
Battery, with Chemicals, eight feet of Office Wire, and
" Smith's Manual of Telegraphy" $7 50
Two sets 14 50
Price of Sounder and Key only 6 50
" " " with Cut Out and Lightning
Arrester attached 7 50
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
No. 8 JOEY STREET, N. Y.
T^LECTRICAL BELLS.
$10 BEJL.L.
We ]>a?o a great variety of both SINGLE STROKE and CON-
TINUOUS RINGING BELLS, from $6.50 upward.
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
No. 8 J)EY STREET, N. Y.
HE BEST TELEGRAPH MATERIAL
IN THE WORLD
IS SUPPLIED BY.
L. G. TILLOTSOIsT & CO.,
8 Dey Street, New York,
MANUFACTUKERS, DEALERS and IMPORTERS
OF
TELEGRAPH MACHINERY, SUPPLIES
AND
Line Equipment of every Description
MATERIAL, AND INSTRUMENTS
always on hand, for the equipment of lines of any length, at a
moment's notice.
We furnish first class goods at low prices. Liberal arrange-
ments made with Superintendents, Contractors and Builders
of Telegraph Lines.
Registers $38 00 to $45 00
Spring Registers 47 50
Relays 14 00 to 18 00
Sounders j 3 50 to 7 50
Keys 4 00to 6 50
Main Line Sounders 14 00 to 18 00
Combination Sets 20 00 to 30 00
Galvanometers, $7 00 upward.
POCKET INSTRUMENTS, Nickel Plated, in Hard Rubber
Cases, Ijx2x5 inches.
CUT-OUTS, Plug, Peg or Button, with or without Lightning
Arresters, for one, two or more Lines.
JONES' PATENT LOCK SWITCHES, the best and cheapest in
use, with or without Lightning Arresters.
PEG or PIN, CULGAN, REPEATING, GROUND, LOCAL,
BATTERY and SINGLE BUTTON SWITCHES.
LIGHTNING ARRESTERS for any number of wires, of most
approved patterns.
ELECTRO-MAGNETS,
PERMANENT MAG-NETS,
APPARATUS for STUDENTS and
AMATEUR TELEGRAPHERS
ELECTRIC MOTORS,
PRINTING and DIAL
INSTRUMENTS,
ELECTRICAL ANNUNCIATORS,
FIRE and BURGLAR ALARMS,
ELECTRO-MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS.
RHUMKORFF COILS, from X to 10 inch spark.
GEISSLER'S TUBES, from $1.00 upwards
ELECTRICAL CALL AND ALARM BELLS in great variety,
from $6.50 upward.
INSTRUMENTS furnished Nickel Plated at 20 per cent, ad-
vance on List Price.
OFFICE WIRES, from 80c. to $1.25 per pound.
GUTTA-PERCHA COVERED WIRES, all sizes.
BISHOP'S NEW COMPOUND COVERED WIRE, for running
into offices, 4c. per foot.
MAGNET WIRES, in Silk and Cotton, at Factory prices.
INSULATED WIRES for special purposes made to order.
SILK COVERED SWITCH CORD, one, two or more conductors.
PATENT MESSAGE HOOKS, the best ever introduced, prices
65c. and 75c. per dozen.
MANIFOLD PAPER and AGATE STYLUS at bottom prices.
CABLES AND SUBMARINE WIRES.
REPAIRERS' TOOLS AND TOOL BAGS.
GLASS AND RUBBER WINDOW TUBES.
INSULATORS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION.
BRACKETS, PINS AND SPIKES.
HILL, CALLAUD, GROVE, BUNSEN, CARBON, DANIELLS,
LECLANCHE, NITRO-OHROMIO AND OTHER
STYLES OF BATTERY IN ANY
QUANTITIES.
PURE CHEMICALS AT LOWEST PRICES.
SULPHATE OF COPPER A SPECIALTY, AND PRICES VERY
LOW.
CARBON PLATES made to order for Grenil, Smee, Stohror and
other Battorios.
OFFICE FIXTURES AND BATTERY UTENSILS OF EVERY
DESCRIPTION.
"Smith's Manual of Telegraphy," ... - 30 cents.
ALL STANDARD WORKS on ELECTRICITY k TELEGRAPHY.
SOLE AGENTS FOR
RICHARD JOHNSON & NEPHEW'S celebrated LINE WIRE.
Catalogue it m) '-'/'rice Dist furnished upon application.
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
* JiEY STREET, NEW Y&RK.
IV
A
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[January 3, 1814.
MERICAN FIRE ALARM AND
POLICE TELEGRAPH.
GAMEWELL & CO.. Proprietors,
62 BROADWAY, NEW YORK.
o
J. W. STOVER,
General Agent and Superintendent.
L. B. FIRMAN, Chicago, 111.,
General Agent for the West and North-Wost,
5 R. DOWELL, Richmond, Va.,
Special Agent for Virginia and North Carolina,
J. A. BRENNER, Augusta, Ga.,
Special Agent for Georgia and South Carolina,
L, M. MONROE, New Canaan, Conn.,
Special Agent for New England,
ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE CO.,
San Francisco, Cal.,
Special Agents for California, Oregon and Nevada.
THIS SYSTEM OP
FIRE ALARM & POLICE TELEGRAPH
WITH A CENTRAL, OFFICE,
OR
UPON THE AUTOMATIC PLAN,
is now in operation in the following Cities, to which referenceis
made for evidence of its great
SUPERIORITY, VALUE
AND
UNIFORM RELIABILITY.
Albany, N. Y.,
Alleghany, Pa.,
Boston, Mass.,
Bridgeport, Conn.
Buffalo, N. Y.,
Baltimore, Md.,
Chicago, 111. ,
Cincinnati, Ohio,
Columbus, Ohio,
Cambridge, Mass.,
Oharlestown, Mass.,
Covington, Ky.,
Detroit, Mich.,
Dayton, Ohio,
Elizabeth, N. J.,
Fall River, Mass.
Fitchburg, Mass.,
Hartford, Conn.,
Indianapolis, Ind.
Jersey City, N. J.,
Louisville, Ky.,
Lowell, Mass.,
Lawrence, Mass.,
Lynn, Mass.,
Mobile, Ala.,
Montreal, Canada,
Milwaukee, Wis.,
New York City,
New Orleans, La.,
New Bedford, Mass.,
New Haven, Conn.,
Newark, N. J.,
Omaha, Neb.,
Philadelphia, Pa.,
Pittsburg, Pa.,
Portland, Maine,
Peoria, 111.,
Providence, R. I,,
Quebec, L. C,
Rochester, N. Y., •
Richmond, Va.,
St. Louis, Mo.
St. John, N. B.,
Springfield, Mass.,
San Francisco, Cal,,
Savannah, Ga.,
Syracuse, N. Y.,
Troy, N. Y.,
Taunton, Mass.,
Toledo, Ohio,
Toronto, Canada,
Washington, D. C,
Worcester, Mass.
The Distinctive Features of these Systems of
Fire Alarm and Police Telegraphs
ARE,
First — The Automatic Repeater, through which the
apparatus may be distributed in a combination of circuits 5 and
the entire system successfully worked, without the constant per-
sonal attention of either operators or watchmen.
Second — The Automatic Signal Boxes.
Third— The Electro-Mechanical Bell Strikers,
adapted to produce the full tone of the largest church or tower
bells.
Fourth— The Electro-Mechanical Gong Striker,
for hose and engine houses, by means of which the location of
the fire is instantaneously communicated to the members of
each fire company.
These Features combined form the
Only PERFECT, COMPLETE and RELIABLE System
OF
FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH
IN THE WORLD.
It is a sufficient vindication of the claims which are made by
the Proprietors of these systems of
FIRE ALARM
AND
POLICE TELEGRAPHS,
that they have sustained the test of more than twenty years of
practical use, and that the efforts which have been repeatedly
made to supplant them by other inventions have
COMPLETELY FAILED;
the few instances in which municipalities have been induced to
adopt other systems having demonstrated their insufficiency
and unreliability, and resulted in their abandonment, and sub-
stitution therefor of the
AMERICAN FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH.
Messrs. GAMEWEtL & CO. are the owners of the
original FARMER <£• CHANNING PATENTS, one of the most
important of which has j ust been extended for seven years, and
d uring the past seventeen years have spared no expense or effort
to secure improvements, and the Systems are now covered by
MORE THAN TWENTY PATENTS.
The most important improvement which the Proprietoi s have
adopted and introduced is the
AUTOMATIC SYSTEM,
the introduction and operation of which involves so litl la ex-
pense, compared to the benefit which it confers, that even small
communities can profitably adopt and maintain it.
The American System of
PIEE ALAKM AND POLICE TELEGEAPHS
has met with the universal approbation and commendation of
the
People, Municipal Authorities,
AND THE
PRESS
throughout the UNITED STATES and CANADA.
NO EFFORT, TROUBLE OR EXPENSE
is spared by the Proprietors to obtain and secure ANY POS-
SIBLE IMPROVEMENT which shall increase the
EFFICIENCY,
RELIABILITY and
ECONOMY
of the system. They intend that, as far as possible, it shall be
ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!
The amount of property which has been saved from destruc-
tion, and the number of lives which have been preserved
through the general adoption of this system, throughout the
UNITED STATES and the DOMINION of CANADA,
CANNOT EASILY BE ESTIMATED,
but that, in every community where it has been introduced for
any considerable length of time, they have been enormous, three
CAN BE NO QUESTION.
The cooperation of TELEGRAPHERS in securing its in-
troduction into their localities is cordially invited, and
their efforts will be duly appreciated and
compensated.
Any information desired in regard to the above
system will be cheerfully and promptly furnished
upon application at the office.
A pamphlet, setting forth more fully its advantages and
superiority, has been printed, and will be supplied to Municipal
Authorities and others interested in Fire Alarm and Police Tele-
graphy, upon application as above.
CHARLES T. CHESTER,
104= Centre Street,
NEW YORK,
TELEGRAPH ENGINEER,
AND MANUFACTURER OF
INSTRUMENTS,
BATTERIES,
ND EVERY DESCRIPTION OF
TELEGRAPH SUPPLIES.
BUNNELL'S PATENT REPEATER.
These instruments are now made in two different styles, at
$120 and $135 a set, consisting of two Relays, two Sounders, two
Keys and Governor.
JONES' LOCK SWITCH-BOARD,
a most compact and reliable Switch, forming a clean spring-
locked connection between any number of wires, occupying for
each different connection only one square inch of space, and
though made of the largest size, not subject to the warp and
contraction of wood- work.
EXCLUSIVE AGENTS OF
A. G. DAY'S
KERITE,
OR
COMPOUND RUBBER COVERED WIRE.
SUBTERRANEAN & MMAL WIRES,
OF THE
HIGHEST INSULATION.
We are now prepared to furnish, after an experience ofthrea
years, an Insulated Wire which can be buried in the earth or
exposed to rain and sun, or to the vapor of acids, without injury.
Professor Silliman, who has exposed it to the most destructive
agencies, finds that it remains uninjured in an atmosphere of
ozone, which would destroy gutta-percha in a few hours. It
exceeds glass or any other known substance as a non-conductor
We have made special arrangements to furnish this article
for office purposes at a reduced rate.
ALSO, TO FURNISH
IRON CLAD CABLES,
of the usual size, with KERITE COVEE, believing that tt will
exceed, in insulation for submarine purposes, ANYTHING
HITHERTO MANUFACTURED.
We shall be happy to furnish estimates for any amount and
size of cable, which will be found to compete with any other
construction, both in quality and prioe.
We manufacture the Genuine ELECTROPOION BATTERY,
with Patent Platina Connection, introduced by us eight years
since; also, THE ALPHABETICAL OR DIAL TELEGRAPH
now extensively used in this and other cities for private lines,
being easily and quickly learned by any one.
We offer for sale, among other novelties, a SOUNDER that
will w )rk practically with a single Danibll cell, a BATTERY
that does not require to betaken down but once a year, and the
very be^t MAIN LINE SOUNDERS made
Our CATALOGUE, embracing a large amount of new matter
and description, is now ready for distribution.
January 3, 18*74.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
TT>ROOKS' PATENT TELEGRAPH
INSULATOR WORKS,
AND AGENCY FOR THE SALE OP
Siemens' Universal Galvanometer,
Resistance Coils, Submarine Cables,
AND EVERY VARIETY OF
Electro-Metrical Apparatus Manufactured by Siemens Bros.
DAVID BEOOKS, Proprietor,
22 South Twenty-first Street, PHILADELPHIA.
THE PATENT INSULATOR.
This invention was first introduced into public use in 1867,
and now hundreds, without exception, attest its perfection as an
Insulator ; also its economy over all others when maintenance is
included with first cost.
Siemens' Universal Galvanometer.
This instrument for the measurement of ordinary resistances,
such as relays, sounders, conductivity of line wires, insulation,
&C stands unrivalled for simplicity and correctness, and is now
the standard instrument for such work in all countries.
Siemens' Submarine Gables, Cables for Eiver Cross-
ings of every description,
AND
Insulated Conductors.
These Cables are unexcelled in construction, and can be pro-
cured in less time and at about half the cost of those manufac-
tured in this country.
A
SUPERIOR PRINTING TELEGRAPH
INSTRUMENT, ,
EOR PRIVATE AND SHORT LINES.
Awarded the First Premium— Silver Medal— over all others at
Cincinnati Industrial Exposition, 1872.
The undersigned is now prepared to supply the improved and
superior
PRINTING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
manufactured under the patent of Mr. J. E. SELDEN. This
Instrument has already been extensively introduced, and has
given complete satisfaction to all who have adopted and used it.
It is simple, beliable, and not liable to get out of order; can be
operated by any person of ordinary intelligence after a few
minutes' instruction and practice.
PRIVATE LINES
constructed in the best and most substantial manner, and on
reasonable terms.
Favorable arrangements wiU be made with line constructors,
telegraph employes, &c, for the introduction of the Printer.
For further particulars, terms, &c, apply to
MEEOHANTS' MANuTACTUEItfa AND
CONSTEUCTION CO.
S. J. BURRELL, Superintendent,
No. 60 BROAD STREET (Rooms 12, 13 & 14;.
P. O. BOS 6865.
\ MERICAN COMPOUND
^ TELEGRAPH LINE WIRE.
COPPER FOR CONDUCTIVITY.
STEEL FOR STRENGTH.
The superiority of the COMPOUND TELEGRAPH WIRE,
compared with iron, consists in its lightness, reducing by over
fifty per cent, the number of poles and insulators required.
Relative tensilk strength, homogeneity and elasticity — de-
creasing the liability to breakage from cold weather, sleet, etc.
Conductivity— insuring great improvement in the working of
lines in any condition of the weather.
And in its dorabilitx, which greatly exceeds that of the best
galvanized iron wire.
Altogether resultiug in a very great reduction in the cost of
maintaining and working telegraph lines, while, at the same
time, insuring
EFFICIENCY AND RELIABILITY.
Address —
American Compound Telegraph Wire Co.,
ALANSON OAET, Treasurer,
No. 234 West '49th St..
New York.
M
AGNETO-ELECTRIC ALPHABETICAL
DIAL TELEGRAPH,
KAILROADS, GAS COMPANIES AND PRIVATE BUSI-
NESS PURPOSES GENERALLY.
MANUFACTURED BY
HOWARD WATCH AND CLOCK CO.
E. HOWARD, & CO., Proprietors,
J. HAMBLET, Electrician.
OFFICES:
114 TREMONT STREET, BOSTON, Mass.
IS MAIL- EN LANE, NEW YORK.
This Instrument is offered to the public as the oldest, most
rapid, and best.
MAGNETO-DIAL TELEGRAPH
in the world.
It has already been extensively adopted and has invariably
given entire satisfaction.
They also manufacture and put up
THE ELECTRO-MAGNETIC WATCH CLOCK,
which is the best watchman's time recorder in the world. Also,
ELECTRIC AND CONTROLLED CLOCKS
of all kinds,
CHRONOGRAPHS,
ASTRONOMICAL CLOCKS,
REGULATORS,
ETC., ETC.,
OF ALL KINDS.
All instruments and work from this establishment guaranteed
to give satisfaction.
FL. POPE & CO.,
• MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS IN
TELEGRAPH iNSTRUMENTS AND SUPPLIES
OP
EVERY DESCRIPTION,
38 VESEY STREET, New York.
NEW AND SUPERIOR PATTERNS OF
STANDARD TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS.
These Instruments are elegantly designed, thoroughly well
finished, and scientifically adapted to the service required.
RELAYS,
SOUNDERS,
REGISTERS and
KEYS.
In addition to these we furnish all desobiptioIW of tele-
graph MATERIAL AND SUPPLIES, SUCh as
BATTERIES, INSULATED WIRES, CHEMICALS
of all kinds, etc., etc.
THE NONPAREIL TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT,
For Amateurs and Learners, and Short Lines.
GLOBE LIO-HTilNJ-IKrG- uft^E/R.BSTER,S-
Bradley's Apparatus for Electrical Measurement.
We are the Agents for the sale of this new and very superior
Instrument for Electrical Measurement.
BRADLEY'S BOX RELAYS AND SOUNDERS.
BRADLEY'S NAKED WIRE HELICES AND MAGNET
SPOOLS,
of any desired size and resistance, will be supplied upon orders
through us, at the Manufacturer's lowest prices.
Also, Agents for
HOCHHAUSEN'S SUPERIOR LOW PRICED TELEGRAPH
INSTRUMENTS.
Sole Agents for the
EAGLES METALLIC GALVANIC BATTERY.
The demand for this Battery is rapidly increasing, and it is
conceded by all who have Used it to be the Best ami most, Econo-
mical Battery, for telegraphic and other purposes, offered to tho
public.
Descriptive Circulars and Price List forwarded upon applica-
tion to
F. L. POPE & CO.,
GEO. B. HICKS, (late) Pres'l. JOHN E. CART, Vice-Pret't.
GEO. W. STOCKLY, Sec'y and Treas'r.
TELEGRAPH SUPPLY
AND
MANUFACTURING COMPANY,
CLEVELAND, O.,
MANUFACTURERS OF
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
OF EVERT DESCRIPTION.
Agents and Manufacturers for
THE AMERICAN FIRE ALARM,
GAMEWELL & CO., N. Y.
Specialties made of
HICKS' REPEATERS, HICKS' RELAYS,
SURE-CONTACT KEY, "NOVELTY'' SOUNDER,
Cheap Instruments for Learners, Amateurs, 4c,
NEW GRAVITY BATTERY,
Hotel and Private Souse Electric Annunciators,
BURGLAR AND FIRE ALARMS,
Dial and Printing Instruments for Private Telegraph Lines,
CALL, BELLS AND ALARM BELLS of every style.
23 alter ies, Chemicals, JVire, Insulators,
Supplies, &c, So.
MODELS and LIGHT MACHINERY made to order.
PRICE LIST.
Hicks' Repeaters (1873.) $100.00
Hicks' Relays from $12.00 to 18.00
Main Line Sounders " 12.00" 1§.00
Local Sounders " 3.50" 8.00
Keys " 3.00" 6.50
Learners' Outfits (complete) " 7.50" 10.00
Dial and Printing Instruments " 75.00 " 225.00
Amnunciators, per room " 7.00" 12.00
Burglar Alarms " 50.00 " 200.00
Send for Circulars.
GEO. W. STOCKLY,
Sec'y and Treas.,
No. 4 LEADER BUILDING,
CLEVELAND, O,
D
R. L. BRADLEY,
No. 9 Exchange Place,
JERSEY CITY, N. J.,
Has discontinued the manufacture of Telegraph Instruments, and
is now giving special attention to the manufacture of his
UNIVERSAL APPARATUS
Electric Measurement,'
Which consists of his Tangent Galvanometer and his Rheostat as
they have been recently improved, which, taken separately or
unitedly, constitute a means for correctly determining the resist-
ance of all conductors of electricity; the resistance and insulation
of telegraph wires; the location of breaks, faults, crosses, ftc. ; the
relative specific resistance and conductivity of metals and other
conducting materials; the resistance and electro-motive force o/
batteries; as well as the strength, quantity, or electro-chemical
equivalence of all currents of dtnamic electricity. The capacities
of all other instruments for similar purposes combined, are em-
braced in this one. It* measurements are accurate and absolute,
and are easily read off in British Association units, without the
necessity of s,rithmett«al calculations. It. packs in a case seven
inches deep and uine inches diameter, with a handled strap, con-
venient for safe transportation. Considering the wide range of its
capacity, itis cheaper than any other instruments.
Price of apparatus complete, is $200 to $280, according to style,
&c. Price, Tangent Galvanometers, $40 to $60.
Descriptive pamphlets may be had on application,
(P. O. Box 5503.
38 VESEY STREET.
He also pays special attention to the manufacture of his
CELEBRATED HELICES
WHICH AUK OF
Naked Copper Wire,
Bo wound that the convolutions ai.' .i|i;i].ii.>i r. <>m each other by
a regular and uniform space of the l-800th of an Inch, the layers
separated by thin paper. In Helices of silk insulated wire, tho
Bpai scupied by me Bilk Is the I IBOth to the l-800th of an inch;
therefore a spool made of o given length and size of naked wire
will be smaller and will contain many more convolutions around
the Core than one of s'dk Insulated wire, and will make a DropO!*
tionablj stronger magnet, while the resistance will be the same.
These Belicea are now offered for the use of manufacturers of
Telegraphic and Electrical apparatus, and orders will bo lilted
promptly and on reasonable terms.
VI
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[January 3, 1874.
^HE PERFECT BATTERY.
CLEANLINESS. CONSTANCY. ECONOMY.
LOOKWOOD BATTERY,
PATENTED APRIL 8, 1873,
L. G. TILLOTSON & 00,, Sole Agents,
No. 8 Dey Street, N. Y.
This Battery has been in extended practical use for more than
a year, and is now acknowledged by leading Electricians
in this country and Europe to be
FAE SUPERIOR TO ALL OTHERS
for telegraphic purposes, or closed circuits of any description.
This Battery received the FIRST PREMIUM over
all competitors for
POWER, DURABILITY AND ECONOMY
AT THE
CINCINNATI INDUSTRIAL EXPOSITION OP 1871.
The size shown in the cut (No. 2), when charged with 5 lbs.
sulphate of copper per cell, is capable of working two or three
main circuits of average length for MORE THAN ONE YEAR,
without any attention whatever. The copper and zinc solu-
tions are perfectly separated, an'd there is^
NO LOCAL ACTION,
and the circuit is absolutely uniform at all times. It is
equally well adapted for a
LOCAL BATTERY,
or for any purpose requiring a uniform, powerful and constant
current.
The number '2 size (price $2.60) is now ready for sale Other
styles are in preparation, and will soon be put on the market.
Mend for Circular.
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.
8 Dey Street, New York,
S O I_j IE AG-EHTS.
New York, Oct., 1873.
We have appointed Messrs. L. G. Tillotson & Co. Sole Agents
for the sale of the Lockwood Battery.
LOCKWOOD BATTERY CO.
W. H. Sawyer, Secretary.
/^RTON'S PATENT PENCIL HOLDER.
"SATE THE PIECES."
This HOLDER is intended to save the last half or third of the
pencil.
DIRECTIONS.
When the pencil becomes too short to write with comfortably,
ehave down the butt and screw into the Holder. The screw
makes its own thread, and will hold the pencil perfectly firm.
Price, 25 cents each.
Sent by mail on receipt of price.
Price per doz., $1.80.
Agents for towns, and counties wanted.
GEO. H. BLISS & CO., Gen'l Agents,
41 Third ave., Chicago, 111.
TXTATTS & COMPANY,
47 Holliday Street,
BALTIMORE,
MANUFACTURERS OF
ELECTRICAL AND TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
AND
Material of Every Description,
RELAYS, KEYS, SOUNDERS, COMBINATION SETS, k, k
Nickel Plated Goods a Specialty.
A. VERY SUPERIOR MAIN IINE SOUNDER,
ENTIRELY NEW.
SOLE MANUFACTURERS OF THE
PATENT CIRCUIT-CLOSER KEY,
Which has met with marked success.
.50 plain ; $7 nickel plated.
The following is from a competent judge, written after some
weeks' trial.
145 Broadway, New York, )
Sept. 22d, 1873. )
Dear Sir— Your circuit-closing attachment on the key, left
with me for trial, is pronounced by all who have used it a de-
cided and much needed improvement on the common form.
Respectfully,
A. S. Brown, Manager.
The Best Form of Battery Insulator Offered.
SIMPLE AND PERFECT.
Made of porcelain, handsome in appearanco. Occcupies little
more space than the cell it supports. Each cell of battery com-
pletely isolated. Leakage is reduced to the minimum by the
use of it.
General Superintendent Van Horn, Southern Division W. U.
Tel. Co., writes of it :
" We have now in use a thousand or fifteen hundred of your
battery insulators, and expect to order many more before the
close of the year.
We have never used any battery insulator that equals it in
any respect. In fact, it appears to be as near perfect as we can
reasonably expect, in a contrivance for that purpose."
Price 40 Cents.
We offer a very excellent article of Galvanized Wire, superior
to any in the market. The linemen on Baltimore and Ohio R.
R. say they have never seen its equal for toughness and
flexibility.
Special attention given to building.
Estimates given for any amount of material for telegraph
construction or extension.
SWITCHES, GALVANOMETERS, RESISTANCE COILS,
&c, to order.
Designs for Switch Boards for special service furnished.
SCOTT'S PATENT ANNUNCIATOR,
for Hotels and Residences,
T>ARTRICK, BUNNELL & CO.'S
GIANT SOUNDER.
K^
They are offered as being unequalled, and. giving louder and
better sound, with
ONE CELL OF DANIELLS OR CALLAUD BATTERY,
than is usually produced from other Sounders worked by two
cells of the same batteries.
Price, ______ $7.50.
Sent by Express, C. O. D., or upon receipt of Money Order
OUR NEW STYLE
IMPROVED CURVED KEYS.
THEY DO NOT STICK,
and it is the verdict of all operators who are using them that
they CAN SEND BETTER, FASTER and LONGER with them,
without fatigue, than -with any others they have ever used.
PRICE, - - - - $5.50.
k
Same quality and style, with Straight Levers, - - $5.50.
Sent by express, C. O. D., or upon receipt of money order.
PARTEICK, BUNNELL & CO.,
38 SOUTH: FOURTH: STREET, Philadelphia, Pa.
TEROME REDDING & CO.,
30 HANOVER STREET, BOSTON,
MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS IN
Electrical ani Telegraph Instruments,
A FULL ASSORTMENT OF TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
CONSTANTLY ON HAND.
Telegraph, Magnet, Office, and other Insulated Wires,
INSULATORS, BRACKETS.
PATENT ELECTRIC WATCH-CLOCK
THE BEST IN USE.
ELEOTEIO BELLS AND ANNUNCIATORS,
At prices which defy competition.
Batteries of Every Description,
At unusually low prices.
Battery Carbons all sizes, with Improved Connection
Medical Batteries from $4 Upwards.
AZL GOODS W^-HSsiJVTFT) FIRST CZsiSS,
AND PRICES EXTKEMELT LOW.
SEND FOR PBICE LIST.
TT^ENOSHA INSULATORS,
. BEACKETS AND CEOSS-AEMS,
DFOK, SALE BY
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
8 BEY ST?., NEW YORK.
Vol. X.
JVew Yorh, Saturday, January 10, 187 Jf.
Whole JVo. 391
,/^HARLES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
^ 109 COURT STREET, BOSTON, MASS.,
MANUFACTURER OF
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
OF ALL KINDS,
■GALVANIC BATTERIES,
JONES' PATENT LOCK SWITCH,
PATENT ELECTRIC GONGS,
PRINTING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS.
ALSO, ON HAND AND FOR SALE,
D. W. PUTT & CO.'S Meehanical Telegraph
Instruments,
41 Pope's Modern Practice of the Electric Telegraph,"
AND A PULL ASSORTMENT OF
TELEGRAPH MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES,
AT THE LOWEST PRICES.
/CANADIAN TELEGRAPH SUPPLY
MANUFACTURING COMPANY,
MANUFACTURERS OF
All kinds of Electrical Instruments
TELEGRAPH SUPPLIES.
All orders promptly filled, at reasonable prices.
•Office and Factory,
352 and 354 KIN& STREET, WEST,
Toronto, Ont.
N
O V E L T Y!
A SOUNDER of Entirely New Construction,
•which gives with the usual amount of battery a very heavy and
«lear sound. i
Size for Regular Offices $5 00
Small Size 3 50
Learners' Outfits, with small size Sounder, Key,
Battery, Chemicals, Wire, Instruction Book, &c„
all complete 7 50
Send for Circular.
TELEGRAPH SUPPLY AND MT'G CO.,
J^o, 4 Leader j3uilding,
CLEVELAND, O.
/CHARLES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
(established 1856.)
109 Court Street, Boston,
has for Bale the various kinds of Office and Magnet Wires, in-
eluding Cotton Covered, Silk, Gutta Percha, Painted, Fancy, and
DAY'S KERITE COVERED WIRE.
i^OVERED WIRES,
— Made from Lake Superior Copper, warranted strictly
pure, covered with Hemp, Flax, Linen, Cotton, Silk or other
material, for Telegraph Instruments, Electro-Magnetic Machines,
Philosophical Apparatus, and all kinds of Electrical Purposes.
Also, PLAIN, WOVEN, ENAMELLED, SHELLACED,
PARAFFINED, and all kinds of
TELEGRAPH OFFICE WIRES.
Also, Telegraph Switch Cords,
many Patterns, Plain, Woven and Braided. Parties being partial
to any particular kind need only enclose a small specimen in a
letter and it can be imitated in every particular.
CONDUCTING CORDS, BOLE CORDS, TINSEL.
C. THOMPSON,
(Successor to Josiah B. Thompson,)
29 North 20th St., Thila., 2>a.
JOSEPH MOORE & SONS,
(Established 1820,)
535 & 537 CHINA STREET^
(Below Green St.,) PHILADELPHIA, Pa.,
MANUFACTURERS OF
INSULATED WIRES.
OFFICE WIRE— Plain, Braided, Prepared, &c.
INSTRUMENT WIRE— Cotton and Silk Covered, &c.
FLEXIBLE CORDS, all kinds, &c, &c.
We warrant all Wire to be of the highest conductivity, tested
by our Galvanometer, which compares with the tests of the
highest authority in this country.
/^lALLAUD BATTERY.
L. G. TILLOTSON &. CO.
SOLE MANUFACTURERS in the EAST.
ORDERS SOLICITED.
No. 8 DEY STREET, NEW YORK.
\ NEW GALVANIC BATTERY.
Durability, Efficiency, and Economy of Expense
and Labor at last Secured.
THE EAGLES METALLIC BATTERY.
PATENT APPLIED FOR.
The undersigned having secured the exclusive Agency for the
manufacture and sale of the
EAGLES METALLIC BATTERY,
now offer them to the public as the best Battery for Telegraphic
and other purposes yet devised.
The Battery cell is made of lead, and forms one pole of the
battery. Sulphate of copper is the only chemical required to be
used.
J These Batteries have been fully tested during the last year,
although only recently offered for sale, and have proved to be
superior to any other as regards efficiency, economy and dura-
bility. When once set up they require no attention for from
four to six months, according to the service required of them.
Two sizes are made at present, but others will soon be ready.
No. 1 is a large square cell, and can be used as a local or for
Running motors. Price, $2.25.
On Locals, one No. 1 cell is used in place of two Daniells, at a
saving of nearly one half in cost.
No. 2 is a round cell, designed for main line. Price, $2.
Descriptive circulars and price list forwarded upon applica-
tion to
F. L. POPE & CO.,
(P. O. Box 5503.) 38 VESET STREET, N. I".
E'
UGENE F. PHILLIPS,
MANUFACTURER OF
TELEGRAPH OFFICE WIRES
OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS,
Lock Box, 169. PR0 VIDENCE, R. I.
With improved facilities for the manufacture of BRAIDED
LINEN or COTTON COVERED OFFICE WIRE, either plain or
paraffined, I am now prepared to offer to purchasers a SUPERIOR
ARTICLE, in any quantity, on the most reasonable terms.
The Gold and Stock, and the American District Telegraph
Companies have been supplied from my works with the larger
part of the office wire used by them.
SEND FOB SAMPLE CARD.
For further information address as above, or
F. L. POPE & CO.,
38 VESET STREET, N. T.
CALLAUD BATTERIES
KEPT ON HAND, AND ORDERS FILLED BY
W. MITCHELL M C ALLISTER,
728 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia,
CHARLES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
109 Court Street, Boston,
AND BY THE
WESTERN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING 00.,
AGENTS FOR THE UNITED STATES,
220 East Kinzie Street, Chicago, III.
w
ALLACE & SONS,
MANUFACTURERS OF
BRASS, COPPER & GERMAN SILVER WIRE.
Also, BRASS. COPPER and GERMAN SILVER,
in the Roll and Sheet.
We make the manufacture of Electric Wire a specialty—
especially the finer sizes of Copper for conduction, and German
Silver for resistance purposes — guaranteeing the conductivity of
the same in every instance to be superior to that of any other
manufacturer in the market.
WAREHOUSE,
89 Chamber Street, IV. Y.
MANUFACTORY,
Ansonisi, Conn.
11
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[January 10, 18T4,
\ LEXANDER L. HAYES,
Late Assistant Examiner of Electrical and Telegraphic Apparatus,
U. S. Patent Office),
SOLICITOR OF PATENTS,
No. 17 PEMBERTON SQUARE,
{Room 12,)
BOSTON, MASS.
^HE AMATEUR'S
TELEGRAPH APPARATUS.
(Patented April 16th, 1872.)
s
ECURITY MESSAGE HOOK.
PATENT APPLIED FOB.
The damage from the loss of a single message will equip a line
many times with our new Hoot, which gives great security.
Price 30 cents each.
" per dozen ...$3.00.
Liberal terms to the trade.
GEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
41 Third Avenue, Chicago, 111.,
General Agents.
s
ECOND-HAND RELAYS.
A large lot of well polished and good working Eelays for sale
very cheap ; also, several sets of
SICKS REPEATE RS,
in perfect order, at a nominal price.
CEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
41 THIRD AVE., Chicago, 111.
TJUSSELLS' AMERICAN
■fr STEAM PRINTING HOUSE.
17, 19, 21, 23 ROSE STKEET, near FRAEKFOET,
NEW YORK,
EXECUTES ALL DESCRIPTIONS OF
BOOK, JOB AND COMMEECIAL PBIBTIBG.
This is a bona fide Telegraph Instrument, with a full sized
Trunnion Lever Key, with Friction Circuit Closer and a Pony
Sounder, both on same base.
The Battery used is Hill's Patent Gravity Battery, the most
constant and economical in use.
With each Instrument is furnished
ONE CUP OF BATTERY,
TWO YARDS OFFICE WIRE,
ONE PACKAGE BLUE VITRIOL,
ONE PACKAGE SULPHATE ZINC,
and a " Manual of the Telegraph," for the instruction of be-
ginners. This is a sufficient outfit for the student.
In operating a short line there will only be required, In
addition to the above, more cups of battery, according to the
length of line.
:<§>:
A COMPLETE OUTFIT FOR A TELEGRAPH OFFICE,
Seven Dollars and. Fifty Cents.
Two Sets, complete $14 50
Sounder and Key only 6 50
" " with Cut-out and Lightning Arrester. . . 7 60
We will pay expressage on Amateur Outfits when price is
remitted in Advance.
GEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
SOLE AGENTS,
41 THIRD AVENUE,
Chicago, III.
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
TELEGRAPH PRINTING A SPECIALTY.
rpHOS. CHALMERS' SONS,
-*- MANUFACTTJBERS OP
ELECTRIC ANNUNCIATORS,
. FOR
HOTELS, DWELLINGS, STEAMSHIPS'/FACETS,
etc., etc.,
AND ALL KINDS OF
ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS,
BELLS, BATTERIES, WIRE, etc.,
BURGLAR ALARMS, FIRE ALARMS,
79 VARICK STREET, JVEW YORK.
A HAND-BOOK OF PRACTICAL TELE-
GRAPHY.
By R. S. CULLEY,
ENGINEER TO THE
ELECTRIC AND INTERNATIONAL
TELEGEAPH COMPANY.
Published with the sanction ot the Chairman and Directors of
the Electric and International Telegraph Company, and adopted
by the Department of Telegraphs for India.
FOURTH EDITION,
REVISED AND ENLARGED.
vol. 8vo, cloth .....$5 00.
Copies sent free by mail on receipt of price.
My new Catalogue of American and Foreign Scientific Books
eighty pages, 8vo, sent to any address on receipt of ten cents. '
D, VAN N0STRAND, Publisher,
23 MURRA 7 STREET, N. 7.
CHAFFNER'S
TELEGRAPH MANUAL.
TO TELEGRAPHISTS.
I am now revising my '* TELEGRAPH MANUAL," and desire
cto make the work complete in its description of the present
state of
TELECRAPHIC SCIENCE AND ART.
There are some Six Hundred and Twenty-five ninstra-
tions in the Edition of 1859, and the present coming Edition will
contain at least One Thousand, descriptive of the latest
improvements.
At present it is my design to issue two Volumes, containing
about 600 pages each, separating the Historical from the Ope-
rative.
I will thank any one for information suitable for such a work.
Would like drawings and description of apparatuses.
Respectfully,
TAL. P. SHAFFNER,
78 and 80 Broadway,
NEW YORK.
rpHE BISHOP GUTTA PERCHA WORKS,
422, 424, 426 EAST 25th ST., N. 7.
^s%l
OMETHING NEW.
s
"The Rattler" Telegraph Sounder.
(patent applied for.)
This is a very simple and effective Instrument, and, as it does
not require any spring to draw the lever back, is always
adjusted.
PRICE, ----- $3.50.
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
No. 8 HEY STREET, N. Y.
S. BISHOP, Proprietor,
ONLY MANUFACTURER
OF
PURE GUTTA PERCHA GOOD
IN THE
UNITED STATES.
Has also on hand, and makes to order,
SUBMARINE CABLES, OFFICE CABLES, AND INSULATED"
WIRES OF EVERY VARIETY,
FOB
TELEGRAPH, UNDERGROU>D AND ELECTRIC USE.
Fuse Wires, Leading and Connecting Wires for SUBMARINE-'
and MINING PURPOSES.
Also, a NEW COMPOUND (thoroughly tested) for underground*
and out-door use.
Cotton, Linen, Silk and Fibre covered Wires for
MAGNET AND OFFICE USE,
of any pattern or style.
OFFICE WIRES,
Cotton and Gutta Percha covered, with any number of conductors^
required.
Gutta Percha and Cotton covered Wires for HOTEL ANNTJN-
CIATORS, ELECTRIC BELLS and BURGLAR ALARMS.
Has on hand and makes to order
SUBMARINE CABLES, INSULATED WIRES, for
TELEGRAPH AND ELECTRIC USE,.
AND FOR
BLASTING AND MINING PURPOSES,
In every variety desired.
As an Insulation for Telegraph Cables and Electric Conductors
Gutta Peboha has been universally adopted by all scientific and*
practical Electrician sand Manufacturers of Telegraph Cables and
Wires in this country and Europe, and has sustained, with In-
creasing superiority in the practical test of over twenty-five
years' general use.
The PROPRIETOR will guarantee, to all parties purchasing
SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH CABLES,
to make and deliver at his Factory any style of Cable. Insulated
with Gutta Percha, as low as they can impotst Cable of the same
style and quality, and in half the time required to import them.
CABLES OF ONE MILE OR LESS manufactured and de-
livered at one week's notice.
ORDERS RECEIVED AT THE FACTORY.
Messrs. L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
8 DE7 STREET, NEW 70RK r
have been appointed by me GENERAL AGENTS for the sale o*
any Telegraph Cable or Wire manufactured at the Works in New
York, at Factory Prices, delivered in New York.
JOHN TH0KNLEY, 503 Chestnut St., Philadelphia,
has been appointed Agent for the sale of any and all goods manu-
factured by me, at Factory Prices, delivered in New York.
Any Goods manufactured (except Telegraph Goods) are for
sale in New York by
SARGENT & STUDLEY, 26 Park Place,
RUBBER CLOTHING CO., 363 Broadway,
D. H0DGMAN h CO., 27 Maiden Lane,
SHEPARD & DUDLEY, 150 William St.
Address all Communications to
S. B I B H O I»,
OFFICE AT FACTORY.
January 10, 1814.
THE TELEGRAPHER.
The Telegraphek
A Journal of
ELECTRICAL PROGRESS.
J.
N.
SATURDAY,
JANUARY 10, 1814.
VOL
X.
WHOLE No.
391.
A Great Telegraphic Suit in Prospect.
The litigation which has recently been commenced
between the Gold and Stock and Western Union Tele-
graph Companies on one hand, and the Manhattan Quo-
tation Company on the other, from the nature and
amount of the interests involved, seems likely to create
as great an excitement in telegraphic circles, before
it is finished, as did any of the celebrated suits between
the Morse, House and Bain interests, which most of
our older readers doubtless well remember. As appear-
ances indicate that active hostilities are about to be
commenced, it will probably interest our readers to
know something of the origin and causes of the dispute.
The Gold and Stock Telegraph Company first com-
menced, in 1867, the then novel undertaking of furnish-
ing printed telegraphic quotations of the transactions of
-the gold and stock markets to subscribers in the neigh-
borhood of Wall and Broad streets, having purchased
for this purpose the patents of E. A. Calahan. The Cala-
han printing instrument employed three line wires, and
was capable of transmitting at the rate of perhaps six
or eight words per minute ; but, in spite of this appa-
rently slow rate of speed, it served an excellent pur-
pose, and the system very soon became an established
institution. Within two years a large number of in-
struments were put in operation, and the profits of the
company speedily became very large in proportion to
the capital invested- During the year 1869 Mr. S. S.
Laws, who was in reality the originator of the system
of simultaneous reporting by telegraphic apparatus,
also appeared in the field with a printing instrument of
his own invention, and established a rival system. The
Laws instrument required three line wires, and was not,
in any essential particular, an especial improvement
upon the Calahan instrument. Upon investigation the
patents of the rival concerns were found to conflict, and
there was at one time a prospect of a contest between
them, which, however, terminated in the purchase by
the Gold and Stock Company of Laws' patents and his
entire system of reporting telegraphs, including his sys-
tem of gold indicators, which has proved a notable
success. This arrangement was consummated in the
fall of 1869, and greatly strengthened the position of
the Gold and Stock Company. The next attempt at
competition in this business was made by Pope &
Edison, who established a system of printing instru-
ments for reporting gold quotations during the winter
of 1869-70. Their instrument required but one wire,
and was made simpler than any of its predecessors.
The enterprise was quite successful, but was eventually
purchased in the spring of 1870 by the Gold and Stock
Company, together with a number of valuable patents.
Meantime the progress of the Gold and Stock Com-
pany had been jealously watched by the officers of the
Western Union, who were greatly chagrined at the
spectacle of such a powerful organization growing up
under their very noses, and reaping a golden harvest in
a field which they had possessed neither the foresight
to discover nor the administrative skill to cultivate ; so
they at length determined to enter the arena themselves
with a new system, intending to employ an elegant and
rapid printer, which had been invented by Mr. G. M.
Phelps, superintendent of the company's manufactory,
and which required but two line wires, although it was
capable of doing three or four times as much work as
any of the previous instruments in use.
By the latter part of the year 1871 Mr. Phelps had
perfected his invention, and had built a large number
of the machines, and it seemed probable that there
would be a vigorous campaign opened against the Gold
and Stock Company. Almost the sole advantage of the
Western Union, as far as the business" of New York
city was concerned, consisted in the superior working
qualities of their instrument. The Gold and Stock, on
the other hand, already occupied the field, which advan-
tage, together with their energetic management, and
more especially their experienced, skilful and well
trained cmployds, weighed heavily in their favor. Be-
sides this they were owners of patents, on the basis of
which instruments even more rapid and effective than
that of the Western Union might have easily been con-
structed; but the threatened contest terminated in a
compromise and the union of the two adverse interests.
The Gold and Stock Company maintained its separate
organization, but a controlling interest in the stock
passed into the hands of the Western Union Company.
Scarcely had this arrangement been effected when
still another competitor appeared upon the scene,in
the shape of the Manhattan Quotation Company, which
was destined to become the most formidable and suc-
cessful antagonist of the whole series. The instrument
employed by them was devised by J. E. Smith, and re-
quired but one line wire, while its effective speed was
considerably greater than that of the old instruments — a
consideration which the growth of business in the ex-
change had rendered a very important one. Thenew
concern pushed matters very energetically, and within
a year of the time they first opened for business they
had put in a large number of instruments.
The old organization, naturally, were not disposed to
share their large and lucrative business with a rival with-
out a vigorous contest. Accordingly, several months
ago the Gold and Stock Company commenced legal
proceedings in the United States District Court against
the Manhattan Company, alleging an infringement of a
number of patents of which they were sole owners.
Three distinct suits were instituted — one against the
Manhattan Quotation Company.- another against cer-
tain of its chief officers, engaged in promoting the en-
terprise, and a third against Mr. C. T. Chester, the
manufacturer of the instruments employed. In addi-
tion to these, other suits have been commenced against
the same parties by the Western Union Company for
an alleged infringement of the notorious Page patent,
and which are no doubt intended to test the validity of
this somewhat questionable monopoly. Furthermore,
notice was issued to all the subscribers of the Manhat-
tan Quotation Company that they would be held liable
for damages for using the instruments of that com-
pany. The Manhattan Quotation Company thereupon
promptly issued a circular to their patrons, containing
opinions signed by two eminent patent lawyers of this
city, to the effect that the instruments used by the
Manhattan Quotation Company did not "infringe any
" patent or patent rights under patents issued to any
"parties other than those owned by the said company."
On the 30th of December the Gold and Stock Company
came out with another pronunciamento, announcing a
reduction of terms from six dollars per week to ten
dollars per month, to take effect on the first of Janu-
ary. But perhaps the most important feature of this
circular was a copy of certain correspondence between
the attorneys of the Western Union Company and the
two eminent attorneys whose opinions appeared in the
previous circular of the Manhattan Company, and was
quoted in substance above. One of them says, in his
reply : " I have recently examined several of the tele-
" graph printing machines put up and in use by the
" Manhattan Quotation Telegraph Company in this
" city, and find that they embrace devices that were
" not in the machine previously examined by me, and
" upon which my opinion referred to was based." In
conclusion, he pronounces the machine actually in use
" An infringement of the 11th, 12th and 13th claims of
" Page's* reissued patent."
In reply to this, the Manhattan Quotation Company
came out with another circular on the 2d inst., ad-
dressed to the bankers and brokers of the city, setting
forth that the Gold and Stock Company — especially
since their alliance with the Western Union— had be-
come " arrogant and unreasonable in their treatment
"of customers, slow and careless in furnishing quota-
" tations and financial news, and impatient of just
"complaints," and claiming that they (the Manhattan
Company) had furnished a vastly superior instrument ;
had abolished the former charge of $100 for the intro-
duction of instruments; had reduced the charge for all
kinds of service to the sum of $6 per week, and,
finally, had contributed to the payment to the Stock
Exchange of a rental of from $20,000 to $30,000.
In regard to the heavy reduction of rates by the
Gold and Stock Company, above referred to, the circu-
lar contains the following: "And now, practically
" admitting that a fair competition on the merits of
" the instruments is too much for them, and that they
" have no hope of succeeding in their suits for a pre-
" tended infringement of their patents, this powerful
" monopoly has lately announced, by their circular of
" the 30th of December ult., that they will reduce the
" price of their stock instrument to $10 a month — thus
" resorting to the policy of crushing out this company
" by reducing the charges for similar service below a
"living rate." The circular also denies that any de-
ception has been resorted to, as charged by the Gold
and Stock Company.
The fight is likely to prove a lengthy and obstinately
contested one, especially so far as the question of the
validity of the Page patent is involved therein — and,
judging from universal experience, it seems probable
that the contest will end in a consolidation of the op-
posing interests in some shape, whatever may be the
final result of the litigation. Meanwhile, tho prospect
is that the host of eminent counsel who have been
engaged will reap a rich harvest. Nothing like so
cheering a prospect, telegraphically, for these gentle-
men has turned up since the days when " Fog " Smith,
Henry O'Eeilly and Amos Kendall, " fought, bled, and
paid " on many a well contested field.
A Reply to Mr. William Orton, in regard to
Automatic Telegraphy.
Automatic Telegraph Company, )
80 Broadway, Room 28, >
New York, Jan. 3d, 1874. )
Wm. Orton, Esq.,
President Western Union Telegraph Co.
Sir: Referring to your letter, published in the
New York Tribune of December 27, 1872, criticising
the Annual Report of the Postmaster General, so far as
he discusses the possibility of cheaper telegraphy, you
are pleased to task him, by implication, with using his
office to further private interests, because he is awake
to current developments, and states a few facts which
will not be gainsaid by any one capable of seeing and
judging, and cannot be refuted by mere assertion.
We had no idea that Mr. Cresswell would make any
reference to the Automatic system in his report, much
less mention it with even qualified approval. If
Automatic telegraphy be the utterly worthless thing
you would have your stockholders and the public be-
lieve it, why indulge in such a labored attack upon it ?
It has been in operation, between New York and
Washington, during the past year, for general business,
which would seem to be the best evidence of its prac-
tical working. To ignore facts, simply because they
are unpleasant, is not the part of wisdom.
In 1869, after the "Duplex" had been in practical
operation between New York and Boston for several
years, you said, concerning it, " The double transmitter
— an apparatus for working both ways over one wire
at the same time — has long occupied a prominent place
among speculative telegraphers, and has recently been
extensively advertised by the promoters of the various
competing lines. During the past 20 years there has
been several inventions for accomplishing this result,
the first being that of Dr. Gintl, of Germany ; but,
while it is possible, under certain exceptional circum-
stances, to transmit messages both ways at the same
time over one wire, the conditions under which this
result is obtained are such as to render the general use
of the system impossible. If there were, however, any
practical value in this apparatus, its use, like that of
the Morse telegraph, is freely open to all."
In 1873, after circumstances allowed you to secure
it at a nominal sum, you characterize it as " the most
important and valuable of all the improvements which
have been made since the Morse telegraph was first
established," and excite the imagination of your stock-
holders, over prospective dividends and the obliteration
of further competition, in the following eulogistic pas-
sage —
"The Duplex apparatus, the patents- for which are
owned by the Western Union Company, is capable of
rendering more valuable service than the Automatic,
even if the graver defects of the latter are successfully
overcome. The Duplex works equally well single or
double, thus obviating the necessity for duplicating
instruments. It doubles the capacity of a wire by
enabling messages to be transmitted overit in opposite
directions at the same time, without any perceptible
diminution of speed. It does more than save the post
of providing and keeping in repair additional wires.
It gives the carrying capacity of two wires, when, by
accidental interruptions, there is but one in working-
order, and when no amount of money previously in-
vested in wires would have provided another."
Meantime the world moves — Automatic telegraphy
is developed, and you would again treat it with the
same contempt as you formerly regarded the now much
vaunted Duplex.
It is unnecessary to comment on y< ur assertions that
the Automatic system has been for years seeking a
market. Enough to say that no one has ever yet been
authorized to offer it for sale, aud its present owners
are still content with their investment: nor is it neces-
sary to reply in detail to the extravagant statements
made as to the cost and character of machinery and
equipment, the large number of operators needed, and
tho comparative capacity of tho various systems.
The fact exists, notwithstanding, that we perforated
the President's late message at the rate of 25 words per
minute per man, transmitted it in 34 minutes over one
wire from Washington to Pottsville, Penn., and there
copied it at the rate of 32 words per minute per copyist
— the perforating, transmission aud copying, of course,
proceeding simultaneously, as in the case of tho West-
ern Union.
We shall have the pleasure of doing that or better
in a further demonstration within a few days, and
shall be pleased not only to have you present, but also
id present you with affidavits of responsible gentlemen,
which will bo eminently more convincing and satisfac-
tory to this public patrons of the telegraph than any
mere statements.
You will recall a conversation with the writer last
winter, in Washington, when, in tho discussion of this
8
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[January 10, 18*14.
subject, you raised numerous theoretical objections, to
which he replied that it did uot rest on his statement,
as that might prove nothing ; nor would your simple
refutation change the matter. The question the writer
put was : " Is the work clone ?" Our daily experience
then and since is the answer.
Regarding your positive statement that press matter
cannot lie handled automatically in the day time, we
simply reply that all offered us is being transmitted be-
tween Washington and New York for a half cent per
word — which is at least 50 per cent, less than the pre-
sent charge of the Western Union Company — and this
is done in conjunction with our ordinary commercial
business.
Be patient and you shall hear from us again. The
President of the Western Union Telegraph Co. should
know what is going on in the telegraphic world. If he
does not, we will endeavor practically and kindly to in-
form him. J. C. Reiff.
•-+*
Action of the Cleveland, Ohio, Western Union
Operators on the Death of Mr.
George D. Phillip.
Mr. George D. Phillip, who had been employed
as an operator in the Cleveland, Ohio, Western Union
office for several years, died recently of small pox, after
a brief illness.
The following letter and resolutions, expressing the
sentiments of his late associates, were prepared and
forwarded to his family, and are published by request,
in The Telegrapher :
"■To the family of the late George D, Phillip.
" Dear Friends : Enclosed you will find resolu-
tions deploring the untimely death of our late beloved
friend and associate, George D. Phillip. They contain
our heartfelt sentiments. His departure upon the
great unknown sea comes home to us like a personal
bereavement, and impressively teaches us that "he
who builds beneath the skies builds too low." He was
one of the fortunate few who possess the happy faculty
of conciliating and pleasiug every one, and his accom-
modating and winsome ways have left an indelible im-
pression upon us, and we sympathize very deeply with
you in your irreparable loss.
" Please accept these resolutions as a sincere expres-
sion of friendship for our departed friend, and cherish
them for memory's sake.
" At a meeting of the telegraph operators of Cleve-
land, Ohio, held Sunday, December 28, 1873, at the
Western Union telegraph office, for the purpose of tak-
ing fitting action in regard to the death of their late
fellow operator, George D. Phillip, the following reso-
lutions were adopted :
" Whereas, We deem it proper to tender' to those he
held so dear our sympathy, and to express our regrets
at the loss of our esteemed friend and associate, George
D. Phillip—
" Resolved, That by his death the profession has lost
one of its most accomplished members, the telegraph
company a valuable servant, and his fellow operators
a kind companion and a true friend.
" Resolved, That we tender to the family of the de-
ceased our heartfelt sympathies in their great bereave-
ment.
" Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be pre-
sented to the family of the deceased, and that they be
published in the papers of this city and in the journals
of the country devoted to the interests of telegraphy.
V. D. Greene, )
J. T. Hanford, > Committee.
R. W. Williams, )
" 0. A. Gurley, Secretary."
The Society of Telegraph Engineers.
The annual general meeting of the London Society
of Telegraph Engineers took place on the 10th of De-
cember last. The annual report was read by the chair-
man, Mr. W. H. Preece, and showed that the affairs of
the society were in a very prosperous condition. The
total number of mem bers, including honorary, associate
and foreign members, at the date of the report, was
512. The society has lost several of its most promi-
nent members by death during the past year, among
whom may be mentioned Sir Francis Ronalds, the very
father of telegraphy; Mr. Leudi, of Berne, and Mr.
George Saward, of Atlantic cable celebrity. The
balance of funds on hand at the close of the fiscal year
was over £500. Three honorary members have been
added to the rolls of the society during the year ; viz.,
Professor G. B. Airy, the Astronomer Royal ; General
Edward Sabine, and Professor William Weber, of
Gotlingen. A number of changes and modifications
have been made in the rules and regulations of the
society. Any foreign member can now become a life
member upon the payment of ten pounds. The fol-
lowing officers were elected for the ensuing year:
President— Sir William Thompson. Tice Presidents-
Lord Lindsay, Latimer Clark, R. S. Cully and Professor
G. C. Foster. Other members of Council — Professor
Abel, Major Malcolm, W. H. Preece, Robert Sabine,
Carl Siemens, Lieutenant Colonel Stothard, Major
Webber, Wildman Whitehouse, C. F. Varley, C. E.
Spagnoletti, C. V". Walker, Professor Williamson. As-
sociates — A. Bell, Dr. A. Muirhead, Lieutenant Wat-
son. Auditors — J. Wagstaff Blundell, Fred. C. Dan-
vers. Treasurer — Major Webber, 101 Cannon street,
E. C. Hon. Secretary— Major Frank Bolton. Secre-
tary — George E. Preece. The society have recently
secured commodious and convenient rooms for a
library, office and meeting room at No. 4 Broad
Sanctuary, which are beiDg prepared for occupancy,
and will be opened early this year.
We do not bold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our
Correspondents. Our columns are open to free discussions
on all Telegraphic subjects, without distinction of person or
opinion.
No notice will be taken of anonymous communications.
Automatic and Morse Telegraphy.— Reply to the
Official "Journal."
New York, Jan. 6th.
To The Editor op The Telegrapher.
Sir: As the Western Union Company furnish the
money to pay for printing and editing their official
Journal, it is, of course, natural that the company
should wish to exclude from its columns matter detri-
mental to its own interests ; but, as the Journal affects
to be "up "in all the scientific and practical depart-
ments of telegraphy, it could not well avoid alluding
to automatic telegraphy, and here is the way the editor
does it:
"Now, we claim that if it takes as long to prepare a
message for transmission by one process (Automatic) as
to transmit it by another (Morse), the latter process, in
all but exceptional circumstances, must have the ad-
vantage."
In the first place, it is well known to every person
who knows anything about Automatic telegraphy (and
to none better than to the editor of the Journal and
his employers), that the average speed of Mor.-e ope-
rators, in large and small offices, does not exceed 6,000
words per day of ten hours. The leading officers of
the Western Union Company, including the editor of
the Journal, know, from their own eyesight, that the
perforators of the Automatic Company have been ac-
curately worked up to 135 words per minute, and to
such expert operators 3,000 words per hour would be a
very easy task ; and, to the slowest operators of the
perforators, 1,500 words per hour would be as easy as
500 words per hour to the average Morse operator.
In the very outset, therefore, of the Journal's allu-
sion to automatic telegraphy, the editor deliberately
robs the system of more than two thirds of what
actually belongs to it, and then complacently'assumes
that its absurdly untrue premises, are correct, and, of
course, finds it easy to deduce conclusions satisfactory
to the managers of the Western Union Company.
But it is easy to show the absurdity of the Journal's
conclusions, even if we concede to it ail it claims; and,
for illustration, let us take two lines, of one wire each,
say 100 miles in length, with twenty offices on each-
one Morse and one Automatic.
The twenty Morse offices take in an' average of
thirty words each per hour, which, with the addresses
and signatures, would aggregate over 1,000 words per
hour, which, of course, any disinterested Morse tele-
grapher would unhesitatingly say was twice as many
words as are ordinarily transmitted over way or side
lines. Now, then, obviously, eighteen of the twenty
Morse operators must be standing still — utterly unable
to advance the work of the line in any degree— as only
two can work the line at the same time.
At the end often hours, the wire having been con-
stantly occupied, it has conveyed 10,000 words, and
eighteen of the twenty operators have been waiting
their turn at the wire, which they have individually
obtained once in every hour— so their messages have
beeu delayed only an average of sixty minutes.
Now, turn to the Automatic line of twenty offices,
each averaging a business of 500 words per hour. As
fast as the messages are handed in, each of the twenty
operators finds steady employment id perforating or
copying the messages or in transmitting them — no
one office holding possession of the wire over one
minute. In each hour, therefore, the Automatic wire
will have been in actual use but twenty minutes, but
yet the twenty operators have been able to so employ
their time that they have served the public with 10,000
words as easily as the twenty Morse operators have
served them with 1,000, and the day's business foots
up 10,000 words for twenty Morse operators and 100,000
for twenty Automatic operators.
Here are legitimate advantages of nine to one in
favor of Automatic telegraphy, and it is not in the
power of the editor of the Journal, nor of any of his
employers, to imagine a probable combination of cir-
cumstances wherein Automatic telegraphy will not
show actual advantages over the Morse system, vary-
ing from at least fifty to ninety per cent. — always, of
course, on the supposition that the public will transact
a very large business over the wires, if they can do so
at a very small charge. D. H. C.
» »♦
More Reminiscences.
To the Editor op The Telegrapher.
The contributions from the veterans appear to be
well received, and, even if they do tell tales out of
school occasionally, there is little harm done. Charley
Jones rather goes for a fellow about my size, but I for-
give him.
But what I wanted to put on record is the story of
one of the early day mysteries, which never was ex-
plained before, and which will not meet the eye of the
injured party in all human probability. During the
" early days " opposition lines were extended rapidly
Westward, and the town on any great thoroughfare was
small indeed that could not boast of two offices. In a
little place that shall be nameless, the spirit of compe-
tition was made a personal matter between the opera-
tors, and all sorts of devices were concocted to curry
favor with customers, and decry the ability and injure
the facilities of the opposition. Little jokes were
played, and matters were worked up to a fever heat.
One line opened late in the fall with a brand new office
and instruments, a glittering sign, and other appurte-
nances of an equally attractive nature, and business
flocked to the standard of the Speed man. The O'Rielly
man became thoughtful and almost despondent. Sat-
urday night all was lovely with the Speeds, but Monday
morning the Speed man was in trouble. His circuit
came and went like the "milk sick" in Indiana, and
all his communications were fractional ; but there was
no trouble elsewhere on the line. His office was in a
loop, so he hunted for it there. He climbed every
pole in the town — a mile of poles — without climbers,
but found nothing, and still the current came and went
irregularly, and apparently without cause. Oh! how
he turned and twisted the screws of his instruments
and fussed with his local ! His hooks filled, his cus-
tomers grumbled, then left him and returned to their
first love. Then the repairer came and sweat, and
quoted from the book of common prayer, and went
home again. Things went on in this way several days,
until one morning the trouble disappeared as mysteri-
ously as it came and was heard of no more. By some
means or other two fine wires had made connections
between two separated sheets of zinc under his stove,
which stood on bricks, and the wires on either side of
his instrument, and as they lay in the grooves of the
floor they had been overlooked, and somehow or other
the tongs, every now and then, and occasionally a wet
boot, completed the cut-out. The uncertain action of
the unfortunate arrangement was what made it diffi-
cult to find, and it was accounted for, in a sort of Dun-
dreary style, " As one of those things no feller can find
out."
Between Queenston and Lockport the line ran
through an Indian village. When lines would not
work in those days you would find on the office door
a notice something like this :
" Gone out on line. Be back soon as I find the
break." — Operator.
One terribly cold day in January my office was deco-
rated as above, and I was footing it between the two
points named. I met a noble red man and made in-
quiry as to the status of the line, and the noble red
caromed on the white as follows :
" Me show where broke. All right now. Me fix
'em. Indian wau't pail handle ; rope no good for pail."
The breechless Modoc supposed a fair exchange was
no robbery, and so he had traded, giving string for
wire, and had put up an extra pole, in the shape of a
slanting fence rail, into the bargain, to keep the line
from the ground. I thought, "pretty well lor Ingin."
Come again, somebody. - C. C. H.
♦-*-♦
The Western Union Company vs. The Poor
Inventor.
To the Editor op The Telegrapher.
A correspondent in your last number has something
to say on the subject of the treatment of inventors by
the Western Union Company. If he had stopped to
think a little it might have occurred to him that there
is another aspect of the subject. Take for instance the
case of the Milliken repeater. There was certainlj r
nothing to prevent Mr. Milliken from taking out a pat
ent (provided the invention was really his, which I as-
sume to be the fact) any time within two years of the
date when his invention was perfected and put in prac-
tical operation. Failing to do this the invention became
public property, in accordance with the Act of Congress.
As Mr. Milliken held a position as manager of one of
the largest telegraph offices in the country, it is hardly
reasonable to suppose that he failed to apply for a
patent on account of lack of funds, as the expense of
January 10, 18U.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
9
so doing certainly would not have exceeded $100. Hav-
ing made no effort whatever to secure his invention, and
having allowed it to become public property, I think it
is hardly worth while to raise a howl because the West-
ern Union Company have seen fit to equip their lines
with it, as they had a most uudoubted right to do. In
fact, it is very likely that this was done with the per-
mission of the inventor, as he has made uo protest
against it, " so far as heard from."
I know nothing about the case of Culgau, but as the
switch never was patented (or patentable either, for
that matter, in my opinion), it is fair to presume that
it was substantially a similar one to that of Milliken.
In regard to the Duplex patent, if it is true — as your
correspondent asserts — that " almost every point about
" the latter invention of any practical value, and which
" was not 'free to public use, was anticipated iu Farm-
"er's patent of 1858" — I would like to ask where
Farmer has been all this time 1 ? If his invention was a
practical one, why was it never used 1 I think, when
the matter is sifted, that we shall find that, as is often
the case, his invention fell just short of success, and
that Stearns added some apparently trifling but really
essential modification, that just bridged the narrow gap
between success and failure. Most great inventions are
made in just that way, and the man who puts on the
finishing touch gets credit for the whole. It seems un-
just to his predecessors, who have borne the burden aud
the heat of the day ; but is it? The question is : Are
we not indebted to the man who gives the invention to
the public in an available form, for the benefits we ac-
tually derive from it, and for which we pay our money?
It is obviously impracticable to divide up the credit and
the compensation in due proportion among the thousand
and one inventors, each of whom contributed more or
less towards the development of almost every great in-
vention that could be named.
Furthermore, I would ask if it seems likely that the
Western Union Compauy, having in their employ some
of the able'st patent counsel to be found in the country,
would be so supremely foolish as to pay out such a
large sum of money for a patent of this kind, if, as your
correspondent says, it was anticipated by Farmer's pat-
ent, which, of course, was readily accessible to any one
who chose to look for it ? The very idea is ,a manifest
absurdity. Lastly, by- what authority does your corres-
pondent assert that the Page patent is fraudulent 1 ?
Congress authorized the Commissioner to grant Page a
patent for whatever he might be able to prove himself
the original inventor of. His claims were examiued iu
the Patent Office, and passed upon precisely the same
as those of any other inventor, and are, therefore, pre-
sumably valid. If the Western Union Company
thought enough of the patent to do so, I cannot see
wherein they did wrong to buy it. The company
was probably established for the purpose of makiug
money. If the patent is worthless there should be no
particular difficulty in proving it; if, on the other hand,
it is good, the company would finally have been obliged
to buy it in any event, for their own protection, and if
they were convinced of its validity, they were very wise
in getting hold of it in good season. I have heard a
great deal said about the Page patent being used as an
" engine of oppression," but from the. fact that nobody
has been molested by any attempted enforcement of it,
although the Western Union Company have owned it
for more than two years, it would seem that they
bought it principally for self-protection. Some of your
correspondents are always ready to raise a hue and cry
at the Western Union Company, but I fancy the officers
of it generally do just about the same as any one else
would placed in their position. Inventor.
» > »
A Response to Nettie Bronson. — "Plugs," not
Female Operators, Objectionable.
Falls City, Neb., Dec. 31.
To the Editor op The Telegrapher.
Nettie Bronson takes me severely to task for my
strictures on the superfluous number of "plugs"
throughout the country, and, as she does injustice to
the motives which prompted that article, " I rise to
explain."
Without the remotest idea of assailing your sex,
Nettie, that protest was made purely against the too
early employment of students, before they could lay
auy claim to being capable of managing an instrument.
In self-vindication, and to further explain the injus-
tice of your observations and conjectures, I will add
that I have instructed ladies to become expert opera-
tors, but they did not take charge of an office until
their competency was quite manifest.
About that "dollar bet " — you cause a manly blush
to o'erspread my physiognomy; — I suspect you would
lose. I am pronounced the quintessence of 1 modesty.
I made so many " bulls" while learning the art, half a
decade of years ago, that it took all the conceit out of
me. You did not give the geographical location of
those "soft" operators, but wo don't have any of that
class out here.
The encouragement of ladies to become operators is
very generally aud highly commended, and by few
more so than this scribe. They are admirably adapted
to this peculiar employment, and the deference shown
a poor operator on the lines is the strongest evidence
of sympathy and consideration for her that can be pro-
duced, and a like inefficiency in a man would hardly
be tolerated.
The avenues for ladies to find suitable, and the
chances of remunerative employment, are too few, and
no obstacle would be willingly thrown in the way to
their preferment in the telegraph ranks. The most
common and formidable objection raised is the likeli-
hood of their abandoning the calling in a few years,
from various causes, and therefore start in the business
with such a contingency in view.
A person starting out to learn operating should be
made acquainted with the qualifications requisite to
become successful. Many illiterate persons attend
these institutes month after month, and actually de-
mand recognition in the profession for their trouble,
without any. other evidence of merit or sympathy than
an exhausted purse and wasted time.
But, Nettie, you make a sweeping accusation against
us operators for what would seem our lack of magna-
nimity. You probably never realized what a vast
amount of patience it requires to transact business over
the wires with a "plug," especially when one has little
time to squander coaxing messages to such.
It is an over-zealousness in students to become
managers or operators, before they have attained rea-
sonable proficiency, that robs them of their real merits
Personal experience indicates to my mind the import-
ance of these considerations. I had, while learning,
the usual zeal to take an office, and was, at the same
time, very doubtful about being able to hold a place
when I got it, and have since thanked the operator by
whom I was instructed for restraints on such impetu-
ousness.
The opportunities for learning the first rudiments of
the art are innumerable, aud thi* kind of employment
to young persons is fascinating, hence a great number
of persons attempt to learn, encouraged by a mistaken
belief that no personal adaptation is essential.
It is with no "dog in the manger" spirit that the
generality of managers repel the students, by any
means. There are few operators that outgrow their
remembrance of having belonged to that class them-
selves, but the constant demands on managers to
"finish learning," or, to practice, or, by more courage-
ous ones, for a job, brings the class into bad odor with
managers.
This will account for the ill success of so many stu-
dents who venture among strangers, and expect sym-
pathy and assistance. Aaron Around.
*-»-*
Telegraphers' Unions Impracticable and Why. —
The Moral, Social and Professional Status
of Telegraphers. — Reduction of Sala-
ries, and Official Christmas and
New Year's Greetings.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
If I remember rightly, I have expressed myself on
the subject of Telegraphers' Unions before, but I might
add a reason or two more why I believe them to be
impracticable :
First. There are two distinct aud separate classes of
telegraph operators, which are removed as far from
each other as though they were of different vocations.
I refer to the railroad operators aud those employed
upon commercial lines. There is no harmony of feel-
ing and action, no sentiment of sympathy existing be-
tween them. The generality of railroad operators
have been reared, so to speak, on railroad lines, and
know nothing of the workings of commercial Hues ;
and railroad wires and the mysteries of train orders,
etc., are as foreign to the commercial operator as water
to the fowls of the air.
Second. The great difference in the capacity of opera-
tors and its consequent result — the wide range of
salaries — is a serious obstacle.
Third. There is, as I have said before, no one to act.
It is all well enough to write anonymous communica-
tions for The Telegrapher, or assume some nom de
plume and express one's self, but I really have very
serious doubts whether there is actually a man in the
fraternity who is bold enough to assert himself suffi-
ciently to accomplish anything.
Regarding our standing socially and morally, of
which some few of your correspondents have, spoken,
T have noticed a something wrong myself — but it does
not seem to me that it is because we are so very im-
moral. Indeed, the telegraphers of my acquaintance
are, with a few exceptions, inoffensive, good for-nothing
fellows, who would do no one a wrong. I am one of the
same class— am not smart, enough to do a mean 01" dis-
honest thing — and yet I have observed that in social
circles tbe telegrapher is not respected as l think he
ought to be. ilit is considered an insignificant sort of
fellow, instead of the representative of the greatest of
art sciences.
For this 1 am uuablo to account. I have sometimes
wondered if it were not on account of the imperfect
knowledge of the art and our inferior qualifications.
But I hardly think this is so much the trouble as is the
fact that we stand divided against ourselves. There
is not enough of harmony between us and unity of
action. If we wish to gain the esteem of others we
must first learn to esteem ourselves.
Although, taken as a class, I do not believe we are
so very immoral ; yet, the term "press operator" is
always associated in my mind with unlimited and un-
told quantities of whiskey. My first inward exclama-
tion, on reading the article of your correspondent the
other day, who told us of the great feats he had per-
formed, was: "Ah! how the 'benzine' must have
suffered." A man who is really & first class operator,
and can show himself to be such, ought not to apply
for work in this section of the country; it is hardly
worth his while. They are said to be unreliable.
As your correspondent, Nettie Bronson, says, " the
telegrapher is surely a very conceited mortal." One
glance at your correspondents' columns justifies this
belief; and I claim no exception to the general
rule. There is scarcely a day but I see how much
moro I admire and appreciate myself than others
do. How unwilling would a single one of your
correspondents be to acknowledge the limited number
of years of experience they have had at telegraphing;
and in the four years I have worked at it, I have got
this principle so thoroughly inculcated in my mind,
that not for worlds would I have one of your readers
mistrust that I am a minute less than .twenty years
at the business !
The salaries ou many of the lines in this section have
been reduced ten per cent. Our Hues are included
in the number. And now comes the meanest part of
the story. I have read of the man who whipped his
oldest boy when his wife found tobacco in his own
pocket — whipped him, he said, because the tobacco
oelonged to the boy, aud the boy had put it there to
escape detection — I have read of this, and how the de-
praved old vagabond afterwards laughed, and told his
bar-room friends how it made his old heart glad to think
he had a boy that could be relied upon in case of emer-
gency ; but it strikes me this is not a comparison in
meanness to the keeping in of operators, upon legal
and national holidays, to send Christmas and JSteto
Years greetings from the officials to " all employes!!!"
Aud, methiuks, if those who favored the reduction
knew how strangely those smoothly worded greetings
sounded— how harshly they grated on our ears— if they
knew of the little some of us had to make our Christ-
mas merry or the New Year happy, they would refrain
from sending them.
But, for the life of me, I cauuot begin to imagine
what we are going to do about it, even though we do
uot like it. But we will hope for better times, and
hope in dead earnest, too. Iu the spring, we are told,
they will come; and until then we will patiently siib-
mit to that which we cannot now remedy. J. H;
A Telegraphic Union the One Thing Needed.
Buffalo, N. Y., Dec. 29th.
To the Editob of the Telegrapher-.
Sir: In your last number I saw an article signed
" Eover," aud as he agrees with me in his idea ot a
Telegraphic Union, I wish to give my views on this
subject :
In the first place, I eoufeud that there is no trade or
occupation in this country (requiring the same amount
of education and ability to master it) that receives so
low salary as telegraphers in general. Take any of the
trades— gas fitters, plumbers, engineers, etc.— are those
men superior in either education or ability to tele-
graphers? Emphatically, no; and yet either of them
can command as much or more than a first class tele-
grapher, and the situation is growing worse each year.
Now, let us have a Union, as Rover says, " built on a
firm basis." Admit none but first class men ; put
(hem through the mill first, and then, with a ticket
signed by the officers of the Union, the holder would
be respected, aud could always be sure of a position,
and 1 am sure that iu a short time the Union men
would be iu demand, and the plugs be where nature
intended them, i. c, chopping wood. Speaking of
plugs reminds me that the operating department is not.
the only place to find plugs in. 1 mean plug linemen
or repairers — and from my observations 1 think the per-
centage; is very large, and no wonder. It is the same
story with them as with operators— no standard of
ability. Now is the lime to lorm a Union, for delays
are dangerous, and unity is strength, aud if it is ever
wanted now is the time.
As 1 am not an operator, I will not attempt lode-
scribe how the Ij'nion should be constructed, but will
leave that to older beads than mine. Start the Union,
brothel's, and I will lend a helping band. S. (x.
Answer to Correspondent.
G. E. 0.— Do not know wlier« tnu articles mentioned can be
/jbtaineu, or that auy one manufactures thorn now.
10
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[January 10, 18U.
The Telegrapher
Devoted to the Interests
op THE
TELEGRAPHIC FRATERNITY.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 1874.
THE TELEGRAPHER:
PUBLISHED EVERT SATURDAY at 38 VESET ST.
T IE KT T H VOLUME.
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(P. O. Box 5503.) 38 VESEY ST. , New York.
rpHE TELEGRAPHER.
A JOURNAL OP ELECTRICAL PROGRESS,
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS
OP THE
Telegraphic Fraternity and the Advancement
of Electrical Science and the
Telegraphic Art.
Published Every Saturday ,
AT
No. 38 VESEY STREET, New York.
TENTH VOLUME.
The Tenth Volume of THE TELEGRAPHER will
commence with the number for SATURDAY, JANUARY 3d,
1874, and will close with the year.
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THE TELEGRAPHER
has now, for nearly ten years, been maintained upon its merits,
and without patronage or support, other than that derived from
its legitimate business, for the past five years. (Previous to that
time it was partially maintained by the National Telegraphic
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The TENTH VOLUME commences under favorable auspices,
and it may be said that it enjoys the entire confidence of the
TELEGRAPHIC FRATERNITY,
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INDEPENDENT TELEGRAPHIC NEWSPAPER,
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bination, but honestly devoted to the interests of the
PRACTICAL TELEGRAPHERS.
As heretofore, no labor, time or expense, warranted by the
patronage, received, will be spared to improve its character, and
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first class
ELECTRICAL AND TELEGRAPHIC JOURNAL
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All communications relating to or intended for THE TELE-
GRAPHER mubt be addressed to
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(P. 0. Box 5503,) NEW YORK.
The Postmaster-General and Mr. Orton on
Automatic or Fast Telegraphy.
In considering last week the reply of Mr. Orton to
the Postmaster-General's report on the subject of tele-
graphy, and his attacks on the "Western Union Tele-
graph Company and that gentleman personally, we
proposed to make that portion of both the subject of a
separate article.
In reference to the Automatic system of telegraphy,
the Postmaster-General, in his report, says :
" For years past the attention of inventors and scien-
tists has been attracted to the necessity for a more
rapid and less expensive mode of transmission than the
Morse, which requires the message to be spelled out by
a slow and tedious process, at about the speed of an or-
dinary writer. One of the results of their investigations
is the " Automatic, or Fast System," now in operation
between ISTew York and Washington. This system is
capable of a speed of from 500 to 800 words per min-
ute. The average of an expert Morse operator is not
over 25 words per minute. Therefore, it is evident that
if the Automatic method can be made to accomplish
what its advocates confidently predict for it, the capa-
city of a single wire for business will be increased
nearly or quite thirty times. This increased capacity
may again be doubled, or, perhaps, quadrupled, if the
Duplex apparatus, now used every day by established
companies for sending messages simultaneously in dif-
ferent directions on the same wire, can be successfully
combined with the Automatic machine. There can be
no doubt of the ultimate success of the Automatic prin-
ciple. Its battle with an incredulous public is almost
won. As soon as it shall be thoroughly developed and
applied in practice, the problem of cheap telegraphy
will be definitively solved."
To this Mr. Orton responds :
" The next notable statement in the report relates to
what is therein styled the ' Automatic, or Past Sys-
tem.' It is certainly an unusual instance of good for-
tune when the owners of patents, who have been for
years unsuccessful in their efforts to make a satisfac-
tory sale, are enabled to secure so valuable an adver-
tising medium as the Annual Report of a Postmaster-
General. The inference to be drawn from the state-
ments in the report concerning this wonderful ' system '
is that it is a pudding novelty, just ready to burse into
the full bloom of triumphant success. I would not
blast its promise by even the breath of an unkind word,
but a few plain and simple truths concerning it must
be told :
"First. — It is not a novelty. There lies beside me
as I write a pamphlet, bearing date December 1, 1869,
throughout whose twenty-two pages the praises of
what it had then achieved are glowingly set forth.
" /Second. — It is not a success. Four years of con-
stant trial, during which large sums have been expended
in practical experimeuts, and in endeavoring, by new
devices, to overcome constantly developed defects,
have failed to demonstrate its superiority over existing
modes, or even its ability to compete successfully with
them.
" Automatic telegraphy, as a separate system, has
never been attempted in any country. It has been in
use in England for several years, but only as an aid to
the Morse system, or as a substitute for others greatly
inferior to the Morse, and which were either never .in-
troduced into this country or were long since discarded.
Its chief defects are —
" 1. More time is required to prepare a message for
transmission by the Automatic than to send it by the
Morse. By the latter the receiving operator writes out
the message as fast as the sending operator transmits
it, so that when the sending is finished the copying is
completed, and the message ready for delivery.
" 2. By the Automatic system the message is re-
ceived in the dots and dashes of the Morse alphabet.
More time is then required to translate and copy than
is occupied in both sending and copying in the ordinary
way. No matter, then, what the rate of speed at
which the signals are made to pass over the wire — if it
takes as much time to prepare for transmission, and
again as much time to translate and copy, after the
message is received, as to transmit and copy by the
Morse system — it is plaiu that twice as much is con-
sumed in respect to any siugle message by the Auto-
matic process as by the ordinary Morse.
"But there are other grave practical difficulties.
The Automatic apparatus, as compared with the
Morse, is cumbersome, intricate and costly. It gets out
of repair easily, and the cost of providing duplicates
tor use in case of accident, and of shipments over long
distances lor repairs, constitute a serious objection.
" Again, it is evident that in the separate processes
of perforating, transmitting, translating and copying
by the Automatic system, more operators are required
than in the regular Morse. The testimony of those
connected with the Government telegraph in England
is, that it takes five times as many operators to
successfully work the former process as the latter.
The cost of operating is the chief expense of carrying
on the telegraph business. It would be much cheaper
to provide additional wires, and to apply the Duplex to
them, than to double the cost of operating; but if it be
necessary to multiply this cost by five, that fact
alone constitutes a fatal objection."
In an appendix to his letter Mr. Orton elaborates
his argument, and, by assuming certain conditions,
endeavors to prove the inferiority of the Automatic
over the Morse system "as regards speed and relative
cost. The argument and assumptions are certainly
ingenious, but an analyzation shows both to be falla-
cious.
It might be supposed that his experience in de-
crying the Duplex system and apparatus as utterly
impracticable, and subsequently purchasing the same
at a large price for the Western Union Company, and
vaunting it, as he has done iu his last Annual Report
to the Stockholders of that company, as the greatest
and most valuable telegraphic invention of recent
years, would have induced more modesty and caution
in his treatment of the Automatic system. If he re-
mains in the telegraph service for auy considerable
time he will undoubtedly change his toue as entirely,
in regard to the Automatic, as he has already done in
regard to the Duplex.
As the readers of The Telegrapher will bear wit-
ness, we have never been extravagant (its friends think
us hardly just) iu our statements in regard to what
the Automatic system has accomplished or is capable
of. We have given space to nothing in favor of that
system which we have not had good reason to believe
was fully substantiated by actual performance. We
do not now regard it as likely to supersede the Morse,
but believe that it has proved of great value and ad-
vantage, and will become more so as it is more gene-
rally introduced.
Mr. Orton bases his arguments entirely upon what
has been accomplished by the Wheatsone Automatic
in England. We willingly concede his statements in
regard to that system to be correct, so far as they go,
but the Wheatstone is much slower, relatively to the
American (or Little) Automatic, than the Morse, as
practiced there, is slower than the same system in this
country and with American operators.
The Western Union officials are making progress on
the Automatic system, evidently. In the fall of 1870
Mr. George B. Prescott, the electrician of the
Western Union Company then as now, stated, in a
communication published in the Scientific American,
that after an exhaustive series of costly experiments,
(instituted on behalf of that company), he had proved
the utter impossibility of attaining by any known
means a greater speed than fifty to sixty words per
minute automatically on 100 miles of line. Mr. Orton
now concedes that nearly 12,000 words can be and
have been transmitted in distinct legible signals, in
one instance fa. thirty-four and in another in twenty-
two minutes, on about 300 miles of line !
In 1872 Mr. Orton asserted, before a Congressional
Committee at Washington, that the wires and operators
of the Western Union Company were capable of tele-
graphing upon an average only about 600 words per
hour. Conceding that by the Duplex the capacity of
the wires and operators is doubled (which it is not),
would give an average of only 1,200 words per hour,
against a conceded performance of the Automatic equal
to about 36,000 words per hour .' It must be borne in
mind that the statement in regard to the performance
of the Morse operators is Mr. Orton's, not ours.
The Automatic Telegraph Company, for a year or
more, has had its Hues opened for public business be-
tween this city and Washington. During that time
the capacity and practicability of the system has been
pretty thoroughly tested, and has not been found want-
ing. The capability of the system of transmitting tele-
graphic signals as rapidly as is claimed for it having
been conceded, the question remains as to the relative
speed of perforation and copying the despatches. The
President's message, to the transmission of which ref-
erence has been made, was actually perforated at the
rate of twenty-five words a minute per man. Conse-
January 10, 1814.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
11
quently, eight perforators could prepare the despatch
for transmission in one hour - . It was copied at the
rate of thirty-two words a minute per copyist. Six
copyists, therefore, would be required to copy it in an
hour. Upon Mr. Orton's own statement it required
sixteen operators and eight wires to accomplish what
could have been done by the same number of
operators, i. e., eight perforators, one sender, one re-
ceiver and six copyists by the Automatic system, in the
same space of time, on one wire. This speed was by
no means exceptional, and can be largely increased
with practice.
This simple statement of facts disposes of Mr.
Orton's assumption that it will require at least double,
and, judging from English experience, five times the
number of operators by the Automatic system to ac-
complish the same amount of work as by the Morse
system.
Mr. Orton entirely ignores one of the greatest ad-
vantages of the Automatic system. If, as is not un-
frequently the case, all but one or two wires on a main
route, like that between New York and Washington,
or between New York and Boston, for instance, are
incapacitated for a time, the automatic system would
enable one wire to do all the actual transmission re-
quired ; or where all the wires are prostrated and busi-
ness accumulates, as it does in these days of almost
unlimited use of the telegraph, the messages can be
perforated, and as soon as a single wire is restored,
they can all be forwarded to the receiving stations in a
very brief space of time, whereas by the Morse system,
even with the valuable assistance of the Duplex, hours
would be required to clear the files.
The length to which this article has extended, and
the pressure upon our columns of other matters, compels
us to be brief in our allusions to other points in Mr.
Orton's remarks upon the Automatic system. In the
appendix to his communication he asserts positively
that, " whatever else the Automatic may be able to do
satisfactorily, it is very certain that it cannot handle
press matter in the day time." To this it is sufficient
to say that it does handle press matter in the day time,
and, we are informed, is prepared to contract for the
satisfactory transmission of press despatches on the
route covered by its wires to any desired extent.
The cumbersomeness and costliness of the appara-
tus, even if true, is a minor consideration, and oue not
difficult to obviate. Its liability to get out of repair we
have not investigated, but think it safe to assume that
this assertion has ho better basis than the other, whose
fallacy we have shown.
It is true that the Automatic system is no novelty,
and it is also true that a sanguine advocate did, in
1869, publish a pamphlet or pamphlets glowingly set-
ting forth what it had accomplished. "We believed and
stated then that we considered such publications prema-
ture and unadvisable, but that fact did not and does
not lessen the real merits of the system. The idea of
Automatic telegraphy outdates by many years Mr.
Orton's accession to the telegraphic service, but until
the development of the American system its capabili-
ties and practicability had not by any means been de-
monstrated. It required the application of the rheostat
and condenser, made by Mr. Gkorge Little, to make
it practical and reliable for long lines of telegraph.
As to the paragraph in the Postmaster-General's re-
port being a " valuable advertisement," we are assured
that the fact that it was to be mentioned by him was
unknown to the officials of the Automatic Telegraph
Company, and that the system has not been offered for
sale or a purchaser been sought.
There are other points which we should be pleased
to notice more at length, hut we cannot now afford
more space therefor. What wo have stated we can
substantiate at any time. At the same time, it should
be understood, that, while conceding the advantages
of Automatic telegraphy, and firmly believing that it is
to become a most valuable part of the telegraph system
of this country and the world, we arenotyet convinced
that it will either supersede the Morse, or that it
affords any argument in favor of a postal telegraph,
such as the Postmaster-General seeks, with so slight
prospect of success, to have imposed upon the country.
If, by increasing the development of the practical
capacity of the wires for business, the cost of tele-
graphic service can be materially cheapened, private
enterprise will not be slow to recognize so important a
fact, and private competition will assure to the public
the advantage to be derived therefrom.
Death of Professor Be la Rive.
The distinguished Swiss scientist and electrician,
Prof. Aug. De la Eive, of Geneva, died on the 27th
of November. He was formerly Professor of Natural
Philosophy in the Academy of Geneva, and is best
known to Americans by his great work on electricity,
the first volume of which was published in 1852 and
the last in 1858, and which has been translated into
English, German and Italian. This work may truth-
fully be said to have embodied almost everything that
was known in relation to electricity up to the time of
its publication, and for many years was the standard
text-book ou this branch of natural science in all the
countries of Europe. Some of the later writers on the
same subject — in this country especially — have pub-
lished works whose most valuable portions have been
compiled almost literally from De la Rive's treatise.
Prof. De la Rive was several times visited by Davy
and Faraday, and was an almost constant correspond-
ent of these eminent men. At the time of the annexa-
tion of Savoy to Prance he was sent to England by
the Federal Council of Switzerland on an important
and delicate political mission. He was a foreign mem-
ber of the Royal Society of London, a corresponding
member of the Academy of Sciences of Paris, and of a
large number of other learned societies in the different
capitals of Europe.
*-»-*
An Old Friend in a New Dress.
With the opening of the New Year our esteemed
contemporary, the American Artisan, comes to us in a
new form and a new dress. Hereafter it is to be pub-
lished monthly instead of weekly. The January num-
ber, the first of the new series, is a large quarto of 32
pages, cut, stitched, and enclosed in a tasteful and
elegant cover. It is profusely illustrated, and in typo-
graphical-appearance is certainly superior to any journal
of the,kind ever issued in this country. It is filled with
useful scientific information of all kinds, and contains
many articles of marked ability, written in an interest-
ing and popular manner. The high reputation of its
conductors, Messrs. Brown & Allen, is a sufficient
guarantee that no pains or expense will be spared to
maintain the utmost degree of excellence in the future
numbers of the Artisan, and we trust that they may
meet with the success which they so well deserve.
The terms of the Artisan are two dollars per year, in
advance. Specimens will be sent free, on application
to the publishers, at No. 258 Broadway, New York.
The Telegrapher in Canada.
Tue telegraphic fraternity in Canada have apprecia-
ted The Telegrapher, and are very generally repre-
sented on its subscription list. For this we are largely
indebted to the kindness of our friends who have acted
as agents and canvassers, bringing the paper to the
notice of the fraternity generally.
Mr. John Trenaman train despatcher of the Grand
Trunk Railway at Kingston, Ontario, has been very
efficient in securing the support of the operators em-
ployed on the lino of the road, and we are under obli-
gations to him for past favors, and commend him to
tho telegraphic fraternity as an agent of the paper,
which wo hope he will continue to be for years to come.
Wo are also under obligation to Messrs. II nan
NEILSON, of the Dominion Telegraph Company, of
Toronto, Geo. Black, of the Montreal Telegraph Com-
pany, Hamilton, J. ATKINSON, of Port Hope, A. B.
Munhon, of Fergus, Geo. VV~. Rah/con, of Morritton,
and others who have, rendered valuable service in add-
ing to tho circulation of tho paper in tho Provinces.
We would solicit the continued cooperation of all
the old friends of an independent telegraphic journal
in not only maintaining but increasing the circulation
of The Telegrapher, and many new ones which we
hope to secure from time to time.
International Free Exhibition of Arts and
Manufactures.
Mr. George Black, for several years manager of
the Montreal Telegraph Company's Hamilton, Ontario,
office, has, with Mr. Walter W. Sims, agent of the
Toronto Globe, engaged in a new and novel enterprise,
which is likely to prove of much value — it.is entitled an
International Free Exhibition of Arts and Manufactures.
They propose the establishment of a permanent free ex-
hibition and general sample and advertising agency in
the City of Hamilton, and all the cities of the Dominion,
for introducing, exhibiting and advertising the manu-
factures, wares, etc., of the Dominion, Great Britain
and the United States. Premises have been secured
at No. 78 James street (North), Hamilton, Ontario, and
other agencies will be opened as rapidly as possible.
This enterprise should meet with encouragement and
success. . Mr. Black's experience and ability as a
telegrapher will enable him to deal intelligently and
successfully with telegraphic and electrical instruments,
inventions and apparatus, and we have no doubt but
that our American manufacturers will find it for their
interest to communicate with and patronize him.
Circulars and all required information may be ob-
tained by addressing Black, Sims & Co., drawer 49,
Post-office, Hamilton, Ontario.
Appointment of Secretary and Treasurer of the
Gold and Stock Telegraph Company.
On the 1st inst. the office of the Atlantic Telegraph
(Cable) Co. in this city was closed, and Mr. Henry H-
Ward, who has for several years filled the position of
Supt. of the New York, Newfoundland and London
Telegraph Company, which has been merged in the
Cable Company, retired from the service. He has been
appointed Secretary and Treasurer of the Gold and
Stock Telegraph Company, of this city, and assumed
the duties of his new position on the 1st of January.
Mr. Ward has filled several important telegraphic
positions during the many years of his connection with
the business, all of which he has filled with much
ability and credit to himself. His services to the Gold
and Stock Company will be very important and valu-
able, and his duties will be discharged with the ability,
faithfulness and courtesy which are characteristic.
Titlepage and Index to Vol. IX.
The Titlepage and Index to Yol. IX of The Tele-
grapher will be furnished with this week's number.
Should any one who desires fail to receive them, copies
can be had on application to this office.
Mr. W. N. McCormick has accepted a position in
train despatcher's office at Fort Wayne, Ind., on the
P., Ft. W. and C. Railroad.
Mr. J. A. Patterson has resigned the position of
train master and superintendent of telegraph of the
Cairo and Viucennes Railroad, and Mr. T. E. Clarke
has been appointed to fill the vacancy.
Mr. J. H. Powers has resigned his situation with tho
Western Union Company at Chicago, HI., and accepted
a situation with tho Pennsylvania Railroad Company
at Elizabeth, N. J.
Mr. 0. M. G/BEENE has been appointed division ope-
rator of the Minnesota Division of tho Northern Pacific
Railroad, with headquarters at Brainard, Minn.
Information is desired, and, if possible, the present
address of Mr. William J. Cowan, formerly tele-
graph operator at Crook Haven, Ireland. Any person
who can give such information is requested to address
Mr. PHIL, P. KAUFF, Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph
Company, 11)8 Broadway, N. Y.
Mr. Charles R. Eosmer, who has ably filled the
position of manager for the Dominion Telegraph Com-
pany at Buffalo, N. Y., for two years past, has been
12
THE TELEGRAPHER
[January 10, 1874.
promoted to be Superintendent of the Eastern Division
of that company, with headquarters at Montreal, Ca.
Mr. Charles A. Tinker, general train despatcher,
has been appointed Superintendent of Telegraph for the
Central Vermont Railroad Co., and all telegraph lines
belonging to or connected with the interests of that
company are placed under his charge.
Foreign Telegraphic Notes.
Messrs. Hambro & Son, of London, England, have
announced the payment, on the 1st of January, of inter-
est at the rate of five per cent, per annum, on the shares
of the Great Northern Telegraph Company.
We are told by the London Times that it may be
some time before the nation learns the total cost of the
purchase of the telegraphs by the State. The materials
for calculation are, at present, £5,847,347 returned as
paid to " Telegraph Companies ;" £865,559 returned as
paid, or due to " Railway Companies," up to the 15th
of July, 1873; and such"' proportion of the £5,000,000
said to be the amount of claims outstanding as may be
eventually ascertained, by arbitration or otherwise, to
be due.
The total number of messages forwarded from postal
telegraph stations in the United Kingdom, during the
week ended the 13th of December, 1873, was 338,742 — an
increase over the corresponding week of the previous
year of 47,625.
The Eastern Telegraph Company's traffic receipts for
the month of November, 1873, amounted to £35,096,
against £33,667 in the corresponding period of 1872.
The Eastern Extension, etc., Telegraph Company
state that the receipts of their lines for the month of
November, 1873, amounted to £17,454, against £15,-
991 for the corresponding period of 1872 of the four sep-
arate lines, viz : British-India Extension, China Sub-
marine, British-Australian, and Tasmanian Submarine
Telegraph.
*-•-•
Telegraphic and Electrical Brevities.
The new telegraph line for the United States Signal
Bureau, between Norfolk, Ya., and Cape Hatteras,
reached a point, on the 7th ins.t., twelve miles below
Cape Henry, and is being pushed rapidly to the danger-
ous coast of Hatteras.
A severe sleet storm, on Wednesday last, prostrated
all the telegraph wires west of Pittsburgh, Pa., and
suspended telegraphic communication with the West.
The wires were badly damaged in all directions west.
Promoted.
It is with pleasure that we note the promotion of
Mr. James J. Riegel from the position of station agent
at Bingen, North Pennsylvania Railroad, to the charge
of Old York Road Station, on the same road, about
seven miles from Philadelphia. In his new position
Mr. Reigel will take charge of the ticket and telegraph
offices, also will act as freight agent and agent for the
Central Express Company. Mr. W. W. Sell, assistant
station agent at Doylestown, will succeed Mr. Riegel
in charge at Bingen. These promotions will go into
effect to-day, and are as deserved as they are gratify-
ing to us to publish them. — The Morning Progress,
South Bethlehem, Pa.
♦ « »
Should men be indulged in ungentlemanly, profane
or obscene language over telegraph lines 1
New Patents.
jggf Official Copies of any U. S. Patent issued since July
1st, 1871, including drawings, specifications and claims in full, sent
free to any address for 25 cents each. Address F. L. Pope, P. O,
Box 5603, New York City.
For the week ended December 9, 1873, and bearing that date.
145,308. — Electric Signaling Apparatus for Bailroads.
Prank L. Pope, Elizabeth, N. J. Application filed April 2,
1873.
For use at tunnels, drawbridges, etc., one line of rails divided
into insulated sections, the other in connection with earth.
System of repeaters at each end of, say, tunnel. Train going in
one end sets a primary signal at far end, which signal repeats
back and sets a secondary signal at entrance. Train on*lts exit
closes certain circuits, reversing the signals.
1. The combination of the electro-magnet C, electro-magnets
B Bi, circuit breaking levers 6 61, and circuit closing devices
ai and at, substantially as and for the purpose herein specified.
2. The combination of the magnet C for operating a primary
signal, the magnet D for operating a secondary signal and a cir-
cuit closer, <ji, the latter arranged to be actuated by the passage
of a train, substantially as herein described.
3. The combination and arrangement of the electro-magnets
B and Bi and armature levers 6 and 61, so arranged that the
closing of the circuit through one magnet will break the circuit
of the other, substantially as herein specified.
4. The arrangement of a primary signal magnet and a second-
ary signal magnet at each end of a section of railroad track, each
secondary signal magnet being controlled by the action of the
primai-y signal magnet at the opposite end, substantially as and
for the purpose herein specified.
HOCHHAUSEN,
Manufacturer of
ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS,
132 WILLIAM STREET (rear),
Between Fulton and John Streets, NEW YORK.
One half of actual size
ELECTRIC BELL,
PATENT SELF-CLOSING KEY,
(Patented October 27, 1873.)
Price $5 50
The lever of this Key swings in two directions, vertical and
horizontal. A spring presses it against an adjustable contact
point on right hand ^ide.
In sending with this key take hold of the knob and move to the
left, this opens the circuit, then operate in the ordinary way. As
soon as released the lever swings back against side contact point,
closing the circuit.
The Platina Points are large and hard.
Self-Starting Register, of new design, protected by a Glass
Shade, complete, with Paper Beel and Weight. . $50 00
Sounders, from 4 50 to $6 50
Electric Bells, single stroke or continuous ringing,
from 5 00 to 8 00
Relays, from 9 50 to 16 00
Improved Switch Keys, from 3 00 to 5 50
Send for Illustrated Circulars.
The above may also be had of F. L. POPE & CO., 38 Vesey street,
New York, at Manufacturer's prices.
TEROME REDDING & CO.,
30 HANOVER STREET, BOSTON,
MANUFACTUEEES AND DEALEES IN
Electrical anil TeleppI Instruments.
A FULL ASSORTMENT OF TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
CONSTANTLY ON HAND. •
Telegraph, Magnet, Office, and other Insulated Wires,
INSULATORS, BRACKETS.
PATENT ELECTRIC WATCH-CLOCK
THE BEST IN USE.
ELE0TEI0 BELLS AND AHNUN0IAT0ES,
At prices which defy competition.
Batteries of Every Description,
At unusually low prices.
attery Carbons all sizes, with Improved Connection
Medical Batteries from $4 Upwards.
*B
AZL GOO&S Wri-ftfttiJVTED FIHSZ CLASS,
AND PRICES EXT11EMELT LOW.
SEND FOB PRICE LIST.
TT'ENOSHA INSULATORS,
BKAOZETS AND CR0SS-AKMS,
FOR. SALE B^
L. a. TILLOTSCW & CO.,
8 DEY ST., NEW YORK.
Anson Stager,
Pres't.
Elisha Gray,
Snp't.
Enos M. Barton,
Sec'y.
w
ESTERN ELECTRIC MANUFACTUR-
ING COMPANY.
No. 220 KINZIE STREET, CHICAGO.
TELEGEAPH, WIRES, INSTRUMENTS,
BATTERIES, TOOLS,
INSULATORS and SUPPLIES.
Annunciators for Hotels, Steamships, Dwellings.
Our Annunciators are the most extensively used and the most
perfect in operation.
Automatic Mercury Fire Alarm, for Hotels, Steam-
ships, Public Buildings.
Five years' operation have proved its merits.
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
HAMBLET'S ELECTKO-MAGNETIC WATCH CLOCKS AND
TIME DIALS.
Western Electric M'f'g Co., Chicago.
TELEGRAPH WIRE, Numbers 8, 9 and 12.
UNION BRAND, AND
UNION BRAND EXTRA QUALITY.
JOHNSON'S WIRE.
BROOKS' INSULATORS, GLASS INSULA-
TORS and BRACKETS.
KENOSHA INSULATORS, all kinds.
PAINTED CROSS-ARMS.
KENOSHA CROSS-ARMS.
OFFICE WIRE, many varieties.
COPPER & COMPOUND KERITE WIRE.
CABLES TO ORDER.
Western Electric M'f'g Co., Chicago.
M
ODERN PRACTICE OF THE ELEC-
TRIC TELEGRAPH.
A HAND-BOOK
FOB
ELECTRICIANS AND OPERATORS.
By FRANK L. POPE.
Seventh Edition, Revised and Enlarged by the addition of 40
pages of New Matter on
RECENT IMPROVEMENTS,
AND
FULLY ILLUSTRATED.
8vo, cloth, $3.00
SSB" Copies sent free by mail on receipt of price.
My new Catalogue of American and Foreign Scientific Books
sent per mail, on receipt of ten cents.
D. VAN NOSTRAND, Publisher,
23 MURRAY STREET and 27 WARREN STREET.
w
ANTED.
Wanted to know the whereabouts of ROBEET McCALLUM.
Was operating on the B. and M. R. R. when last heard from.
Anyone knowing him, or having seen him during the past three
years, will please communicate with his brother, ALEXANDER
McCALLUM, Mendocine City, California, and by so doing wiU
confer a great favor.
January 10, 1814.]
THE TELEGRAPHER
in
P
ANIO PRICES.
OUR PROFITS HAVING BEEN AMPLE,
WE OFFER OUR CUSTOMERS THE
BENEFITS OF THE RECENT
REDUCTION
IN THE COST OF LABOR AND MATERIAL.
ALL WHO NEED
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS and SUPPLIES,
IN
Large or Small Quantities,
WILL CONSULT THEIR OWN INTERESTS BY PURCHASING
FROM US.
SEND FOR OUR NEW PRICE LIST.
A Special Discount given on Cash Purchases.
GEO. H. BLISS & 'CO.,
41 THIRD AVENUE,
Chicago, 111.
s
ITUATION DESIRED.
G EO
H. BLISS & CO.,
41 XMIMI> AVENUE,
Chicago, III.
TELEGRAPHIC, ELECTRICAL AND MEDICAL APPARATUS.
: for KIDDER'S MEDICAL APPARATUS.
" AMERICAN COMPOUND WIRE.
" JONES' LOCK SWITCH BOARD.
" ROBERTSON'S BATTERY INSULATOR.
" HILL'S GRAVITY BATTERY.
" HILL'S HOTEL ANNUNCIATOR and FIRE ALARM.
" MoPHERSON'S IRON BATTERY.
" THE AMATEUR TELEGRAPH APPARATUS.
.< PUTT'S MECHANICAL INSTRUMENTS.
" KENOSHA INSULATOR.
" BROOKS' "
" UNITED STATES ELECTRIC GAS LIGHTING COM-
PANY.
" p6pE'S RAILWAY SIGNALS.
" EAGLES METALLIC (RESERVOIR) BATTERY.
'• SELDEN'S PRINTERS.
" ANDERS' MAGNETIC DIAL AND PRINTER.
IMPROVED AMATEUR SOUNDERS.
AN EXTRA FINISHED AND GOOD WORKING SOUNDER,
No. 3 $4 00
A WELL FINISHED AND GOOD WORKING SOUNDER,
No. 4 3 oo
A WELL FINISHED AND GOOD WORKING KEY, No. 4. 4 00
Instruments, Line Material, Office Wire, Magnet Wire, Tools,
Battery Material, Chemicals, Books, Stationery,
constantly on hand.
t&- Speoial attention given to REPAIRS ana MODEL WORK.
A Situation is desired by the subscriber as a Telegraph Operator.
She has had nine years' experience, and has filled responsible
positions in Commercial and Railroad offices satisfactorily, but
is at present without an engagement. Would prefer a situation
in an office in some city, or place of moderate size, where she
could have an office by herself— either in a Commercial or Rail-
road office.
Any person knowing of such a situation, or desirous of engag-
ing her services, will please address
Miss A. NIXON,
Hobart, Lake County, Indiana.
R
EDUCTION OF PRICES.
POPULAR, EXCELLENT and ECONOMICAL
THE NONPAREIL
TELEGRAPH APPARATUS,
For AMATEUES, STUDENTS and SHORT LINES.
Since the introduction of this Pioneer Low Priced Telegraph In-
strument, a little over a year and a half since, nearly 2,000
have been sold, and they are constantly more and more sought
after.
Hereafter we shall furnish them at the following popular rates:
Single Instruments, including Three Cells Battery, Con-
necting Wire, Chemicals and Instruction Book $6 50
Two sets of Instruments, etc 12 00
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
F. L. POPE & CO.,
[P. O. Box 5503.] 38 Vesey Street, N. T.
X ECLANCHE BATTERIES.
CAUTION.
All persons are hereby notified that Batteries infringing upon
our patents are in the market (some of them nearly worthless).
The public are warned against using any such infringements, as
in every case the guilty parties will De prosecuted to the fullest
extent of the law. The genuine Batteries have the words " Pile
Leclanche " on the carbons and glasses. Any information con-
cerning such infringements will be thankfully received by the
Leclanche Battery Co.,
JVo. i.0 West 18th Street.
New York, October 11, 1873.
rpiLLOTSON'S EXCELSIOR
1 TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT.
(PATENTED JUNE 24, 1873.)
This apparatus is constructed of the best material, and finished
equal to any Telegraph Instrument, and is warranted first class
in every particular. It is especially adapted to the require-
ments of Students of Telegraphy and the operation of Private
Telegraph Lines.
Price, complete, Sounder and Key mounted on finely
finished Mahogany Base, with one Cell Hill's Patent
Battery, with Chemicals, eight feet of Office Wire, and
" Smith's Manual of Telegraphy" $7 50
Two sets 14 50
Price of Sounder and Key only 6 50
" «' " with Cut Out and Lightning
Arrester attached 7 50
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
No. 8 JDEY STREET, N. T.
T^LECTRICAL BELLS.
$10 BELL.
Wo ha»e a great variety of both SINGLE STROKE and CON-
TINUOUS RINGING BELLS, from $6.50 upward.
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
No. 8 DEY STREET, N. Y. r
rpiIE BEST TELEGRAPH MATERIAL
^ IN THE WOULD
IS SUPPLIED BY
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
8 JDey Street, New York,
MANUFACTURERS, DEALERS and IMPORTERS
OF
TELEGRAPH MACHINERY, SUPPLIES
AND
Line Equipment of every Description
MATERIAL, AND INSTRUMENTS
always on hand, for the equipment of lines of any length, at a
moment's notice.
We furnish first class goods at low prices. Liberal arrange-
ments made with Superintendents, Contractors and Builders
of Telegraph Lines.
Registers $38 00 to $45 00
Spring Registers 47 50
Relays 14 00 to 18 00
Sounders 3 50 to 7 60
Keys 4 00to 6 50
Main Line Sounders 14 00 to 18 00
Combination Sets 20 00 to 30 00
Galvanometers, $7 00 upward.
POCKET INSTRUMENTS, Nickel Plated, in Hard Rubber
Cases, 1^x2x5 inches.
CUT-OUTS, Plug, Peg or Button, with or without Lightning
Arresters, for one, two or more Lines.
JONES' PATENT LOCK SWITCHES, the best and cheapest in
use, with or without Lightning Arresters.
PEG or PIN, CULGAN, REPEATING, GROUND, LOCAL,
BATTERY and SINGLE BUTTON SWITCHES.
LIGHTNING ARRESTERS for any number of wires, of most
approved patterns.
ELECTRO-MAGNETS,
PERMANENT MAGNETS,
APPARATUS for STUDENTS and
AMATEUR TELEGRAPHERS
ELECTRIC MOTORS,
PRINTING and DIAL
INSTRUMENTS,
ELECTRICAL ANNUNCIATORS,
FIRE and BURGLAR ALARMS,
ELECTRO-MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS.
RHUMKORFF COILS, from %. to 10 inch spark.
GEISSLER'S TUBES, from $1.00 upwards
ELECTRICAL CALL AND ALARM BELLS in great variety,
from $6.50 upward.
INSTRUMENTS furnished Nickel Plated at 20 per cent, ad-
vance on List Price.
OFFICE WIRES, from 80c. to $1.25 per pound.
GUTTA-PERCHA COVERED WIRES, all sizes.
BISHOP'S NEW COMPOUND COVERED WIRE, for running
into offices, 4c. per foot.
MAGNET WIRES, in Silk and Cotton, at Factory prices.
INSULATED WIRES for special purposes made to order.
SILK COVERED SWITCH CORD, one, two or more conductors.
PATENT MESSAGE HOOKS, the best ever introduced, prices
65c. and 75c. per dozen.
MANIFOLD PAPER and AGATE STYLUS at bottom prices.
CABLES AND SUBMARINE WIRES.
REPAIRERS' TOOLS AND TOOL BAGS.
GLASS AND RUBBER WINDOW TUBES.
INSULATORS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION.
BRACKETS, PINS AND SPIKES.
HILL, CALLAUD, GROVE, BUNSEN, CARBON, DANIELLS,
LEOLANCHIS, NITRO-CHROMIO AND OTHER
STYLES OF BATTERY IN ANY
QUANTITIES.
PURE CHEMICALS AT LOWEST PRICES.
SULPHATE OF COPPER A SPECIALTY, AND PRICES VERY
LOW.
CARBON PLATES made to order for Grenil, Smeo, Stohrer and
other Batteries.
OFFICE FIXTURES AND BATTERY UTENSILS OF EVERY
DESCRIPTION.
"Smith's Manual of Telegraphy," .... 30 cents.
ALL STANDARD WORKS on ELECTRICITY & TELEGRAPHY.
SOLE AGENTS FOR
RICHARD JOHNSON & NEPHEW'S celebrated LINE WIRE.
Calaloffito and Price List furnished upon application .
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
* JOEY STREET, NEW YORK.
IV
THE TELEGRAPHER,
[January 10, 1814.
A
MERICAN FIRE ALARM AND
POLICE TELEGRAPH.
&AMEVELL & CO.. Proprietors,
62 BROADWAY. NEW YORK.
J. W. STOVEE,
General Agent and Superintendent.
L. B. FIRMAN, Chicago, 111.,
General Agent for the West and North- West,
J R. DOWELL, Richmond, Va.,
Special Agent for Virginia and North Carolina,
J. A. BRENNER, Augusta, Ga.,
Special Agent for Georgia and South Carolina,
L, M. MONROE, New Canaan, Conn.,
Special Agent for New England,
ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE CO.,
San Francisco, Cal.,
Special Agents for California, Oregon and Nevada.
THIS SYSTEM OF
FIRE ALARM & POLICE TELEGRAPH
WITH A CENTRAL OFFICE v
OR
UPON TEE AUTOMATIC PLAN,
is now In operation in the following Cities, to which referenceis
made for evidence of its great
SUPERIORITY, VALUE
AND
UNIFORM RELIABILITY.
Albany, N. Y.,
Alleghany, Pa.,
Boston, Mass.,
Bridgeport, Conn.
Buffalo, N. Y.,
Baltimore, Md.,
Chicago, 111. ,
Cincinnati, Ohio,
Columbus, Ohio,
Cambridge, Mass.,
Oharlestown, Mass.,
Covington, Ky.,
Detroit, Mich.,
Dayton, Ohio,
Elizabeth, N. J.,
Fall River, Mass.
Fitchburg, Mass.,
Hartford, Conn.,
Indianapolis, Ind.
Jersey City, N. J.,
Louisville, Ky.,
Lowell, Mass.,
Lawrence, Mass.,
Lynn, Mass.,
Mobile, Ala.,
Montreal, Canada,
Milwaukee, Wis.,
New York City,
New Orleans, La.,
New Bedford, Mass,
New Haven, Conn.,
Newark, N. J.,
Omaha, Neb.,
Philadelphia, Pa.,
Pittsburg, Pa.,
Portland, Maine,
Peoria, 111.,
Providence, R. I.,
Quebec, L. 0.,
Rochester, N. Y.,
Richmond, Va.,
St. Louis, Mo. N
St. John, N. B.,
Springfield, Mass.,
San Francisco, Cal.,
Savannah, Ga.,
Syracuse, N. Y.,
Troy, N. Y.,
Taunton, Mass.,
Toledo, Ohio,
Toronto, Canada,
Washington, D. C,
Worcester, MasB.
The Distinctive Features of these Systems of
Fire Alarm and Police Telegraphs
ABE,
First — The Automatic Repeater, through which the
apparatus may be distributed in a combination of circuits, and
the entire system successfully worked, without the constan't per-
sonal attention of either operators or watchmen.
Second — Tlie Automatic Signal Boxes.
Third— The Electro-Mechanical Bell Strikers,
adapted to produce the full tone of the largest church or tower
bells.
Fourth— The Electro-Mechanical Gong Striker,
for hose and engine houses, by means of which the location of
the fire is instantaneously communicated to the members of
each fire company.
These Features combined form the
Only PERFECT, COMPLETE and RELIABLE System
OP
FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH
IN THE WORLD.
It is a sufficient vindication of the claims which are made by
the Proprietors of these systems of
FIRE ALARM
AND
POLICE TELEGRAPHS,
that they have sustained the test of more than twenty years of
practical use, and that the efforts which have been repeatedly
made to supplant them by other inventions have
COMPLETELY FAILED;
the few instances in which municipalities have been induced to
adopt other systems having demonstrated their insufficiency
and unreliability, and resulted in their abandonment, and sub-
stitution therefor of the
AMERICAN FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH.
Messrs. GAMEWEIilj Si CO. are the owners of the
original FARMER c& CHANNING PATENTS, one of the most
important of which has just been extended for seven years, and
during the past seventeen years have spared no expense or effort
to secure improvements, and the Systems are now covered by
MORE THAN TWENTY PATENTS.
The most important improvement which the Proprietoi s have
adopted and introduced is the
AUTOMATIC SYSTEM,
the introduction and operation of which involves so litl U ex-
pense, compared to the benefit which it confers, that even small
communities can profitably adopt and maintain it.
The American System of
HEE ALAKM AND POLICE TELEGEAPHS
has met with the universal approbation and commendation of
the
People, Municipal Authorities,
AND THE
PRESS
throughout the UNITED STATES and CANADA.
NO EFFORT, TROUBLE OR EXPENSE -
is spared by the Proprietors to obtain and secure ANY POS-
SIBLE IMPROVEMENT which shall increase the
EFFICIENCY,
KELIABILITY and
ECONOMY
of the system. They intend that, as far as possible, it shall be
ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!
The amount of property which has been saved from destruc-
tion, and the number of lives which have been preserved
through the general adoption of this system, throughout the
UNITED STATES and the DOMINION of CANADA,
CANNOT EASILY BE ESTIMATED,
but that, in every community where it has been introduced for
any considerable length of time, they have been enormous, thkee
CAN BE NO QUESTION.
The cooperation of TELEGRAPHERS in securing-its in-
troduction into their localities is cordially invited, and
Iheir efforts will be duly appreciated and
compensated.
Any information desired in regard to the above
system ■will be cheerfully and promptly furnished
upon application at the office.
A pamphlet, setting forth more fully its advantages and
superiority, has been printed, and will be supplied to Municipal
Authorities and others interested in Fire Alarm and Police Tele-
graphy, upon application as above.
CARLES T. CHESTER,
104 Centre Street,
NEW YORK,
TELEGRAPH ENGINEER,
AND MANUFACTURER OF
INSTRUMENTS,
BATTERIES,
AND EVEBY DESCRIPTION OF
TELEGRAPH SUPPLIES.
BUNNELL'S PATENT REPEATER,
These instruments are now made in two different styles, at
$120 and $135 a set, consisting of two Relays, two Sounders, two
Keys and Governor.
JONES' LOCK SWITCH-BOARD,
a most compact and reliable Switch, forming a clean spring-
locked connection between any number of wires, occupying for
each different connection only one square inch of space, and
though made of the largest size, not subject to the warp and
contraction of wood-work.
EXCLUSIVE AGENTS OF
A. G. DAY'S
KERITE,
OB
COMPOUND RUBBER COVERED WIRE.
SUBTERRANEAN & MRIM WIRES,
OF THE
HIGHEST INSULATION.
Wearenow prepared to furnish, after an experience ofthree
years, an Insulated Wire which can be buried in the earth or
exposed to rain and sun, or to the vapor of acids, without injuiy.
Professor Silliman, who has exposed itto the most destructive
agencies; finds that it remains uninjured in an atmosphere of
ozone, which would destroy gutta-percha in a few hours. It
exceeds glass or any other known substance as a non-conductor
We have made special arrangements to furnish this article
for office purposes at a reduced rate.
ALSO, TO FURNISH
IRON CLAD CABLES,
of the usual size, with KERITE COVER, believing that it will
exceed, in insulation for submarine purposes, ANYTHING
HITHERTO MANUFACTURED.
We shall be happy to furnish estimates for any amount and
size of cable, which will be found to compete with any other
construction, both in quality and price.
We manufacture the Genuine ELECTROPOION BATTERY,
with Patent Platina Connection, introduced by us eight years
Since; also, THE ALPHABETICAL OR DIAL TELEGRAPH,
now extensively used in this and other cities for private lines,
being easily and quickly learned by any one.
We offer for sale, among other novelties, a SOUNDER that
will w jrk practically with a single Daniell cell, a BATTERY
that does not require to be taken down but once a year, and the
very bejt MAIN LINE SOUNDERS made
Our CATALOGUE, embracing a large amount of new matter
and description, is now ready for distribution.
January 10, 1874.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
B
ROOKS' PATENT TELEGRAPH
INSULATOR WORKS,
AND AGENCY FOR THE SALE OP
Siemens' Universal Galvanometer,
Resistance Coils, Submarine Gables,
AND EVERT VARIETY OF
Electro-Metrical Apparatus Manufactured by Siemens Bros.
DAVID BE00KS, Proprietor,
22 South Twenty-first Street, PHILADELPHIA.
THE PATENT INSULATOR.
This invention was first introduced into public use in 1867,
and now hundreds, without exception, attest its perfection as an
Insulator ; also its economy over all others when maintenance is
included with first cost.
Siemens' Universal Galvanometer,
This instrument for the measurement of ordinary resistances,
such as relays, sounders, conductivity of line wires, insulation,
be, stands unrivalled for simplicity and correctness, and is now
the standard instrument for such work in all countries.
Siemens' Submarine Cables, Gables for Eiver Cross-
ings of every description,
AND
Insulated Conductors.
These Cables are unexcelled in construction, and can be pro-
cured in less time and at about half the cost of those manufac-
tured in this country.
A SUPERIOR PRINTING TELEGRAPH
INSTRUMENT,
FOR PRIVATE AND SHORT LINES.
Awarded the First Premium—Silver Medal~~over all others at
Cincinnati Industrial Exposition, 1872.
The undersigned is now prepared to supply the improved and
superior
PRINTING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
manufactured under the patent of Mr. 3. E. SELDEN. This
instrument has already been extensively introduced, and has
given complete satisfaction to all who have adopted and used it.
It is simple, beliable, and not liable to get out of order; can be
operated by any person of ordinary intelligence after a few
minutes' instruction and practice.
PRIVATE LINES
constructed in the best and most substantial manner, and on
reasonable terms.
Favorable arrangements will be made with line constructors,
telegraph employes, &c, for the introduction of the Printer.
For further particulars, terms, &c, apply to
MEEOHANTS' MANUFACTURING AND
CONSTRUCTION 00.
S. J. BUERELL, Superintendent,
No. 60 BROAD STREET (Rooms 12, 13 & 14).
P. O. BOX 496.
A'
MERICAN COMPOUND
TELEGRAPH LINE WIRE.
COPPER FOR CONDUCTIVITY.
STEEL FOR STRENGTH.
The superiority of the COMPOUND TELJEGRAPH WIRE,
oo m pared with iron, consists in its lightness, reducing by over
fifty per cent, the number of poles and insulators required.
Relative tensile stbenoth, homogeneity and elasticity — de-
creasing the liability to breakage from cold weather, sleet, etc.
Conductivity— insuring great improvement in the working of
lines in any condition of the weather.
And in its dobability, which greatly exceeds that of the best
galvanized iron wire.
Altogether resulting in a very great reduction in the cost of
maintaining and working telegraph lines, while, at the same
time, insuring
EFFICIENCY AND RELIABILITY.
Address — ,
American Compound Telegraph Wire Co.,
ALANS0N 0AEY. Treasurer,
No. 234 West 29th St..
Hew YorTc.
MAGNETO-ELECTRIC ALPHABETICAL
DIAL TELEGRAPH,
FOB
RAILROADS, GAS COMPANIES AND PRIVATE BUSI-
NESS PURPOSES GENERALLY.
MANUFACTURED by
HOWARD WATCH AND CLOCK CO.
E. HOWARD, &. CO., Proprietors,
J. HAMBLET. Electrician.
OFFICES:
114 TREMONT STREET, BOSTON, Mass.
IS MAIDEN IjANE, NEW YORK.
This Instrument is offered to the public as the oldest, most
rapid, and best.
MAGNETO-DIAL TELEGRAPH
in the world.
It has already been extensively adopted and has invariably
given entire satisfaction.
They also manufacture and put up
THE ELECTRO-MAGNETIC WATCH CLOCK,
which is the best watchman's time recorder in the world. Also,
ELECTRIC AND CONTROLLED CLOCKS
of all kinds, ,
CHRONOGRAPHS,
ASTRONOMICAL CLOCKS,
REGULATORS,
ETC., ETC.,
OF ALL KINDS.
All instruments and work from this establishment guaranteed
to give satisfaction.
FL. POPE & CO.,
• MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS IN
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS AND SUPPLIES
OF
EVERY DESCRIPTION,
38 VESEY STREET, New York.
NEW AND SUPERIOR PATTERNS OF
STANDARD TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS.
These Instruments are elegantly designed, thoroughly well
finished, and scientifically adapted to the service required.
RELAYS,
SOUNDERS,
REGISTERS and
KEYS.
In addition to these we furnish all descriptions of tele-
OBAFH MATERIAL AND SUPPLIES, SUCh as
BATTERIES, INSULATED WIRES, CHEMICALS
of all kinds, etc., etc.
THE NONPAREIL TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT,
For Amateurs and Learners, and Short Lines.
GLOBE LTG-HTKrilsTG- ABRBSTERS.
Bradley's Apparatus for Electrical Measurement.
We are the Agents for the sale of this new and very superior
Instrument for Electrical Measurement.
BRADLEY'S BOX RELAYS AND SOUNDERS.
BRADLEY'S NAKED WIRE HELICES AND MAGNET
SPOOLS,
of any desired size and resistance, will be supplied upon orders
through us, at the Manufacturer's lowest prices.
Also, Agents for
HOCHHAUSEN'S SUPERIOR LOW PRICED TELEGRAPH
INSTRUMENTS.
Sole Agents for the
EAGLES METALLIC GALVANIC BATTERY.
The demand for this Battery is rapidly increasing, and it is
conceded by all who have used it to be the Best and moit Econo-
mical Battery, for telegraphic and other purposes, offered to the
public.
Descriptive Circulars and Price List forwarded upon applica-
tion to
F. L. POPE & CO.,
GEO. B. HICKS, (late) Pres't. JOHN E. CARY, Vice-Pres't.
GEO. W. STOCKLY, Sec'y and Treas'r.
TELEGRAPH SUPPLY
AND
MANUFACTURING COMPANY,
CLEVELAND, O.,
MANUFACTURERS OF
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
OF EVERT DESCRIPTION.
Agents and Manufacturers for
THE AMERICAN FIRE ALARM,
GAMEWELL & CO., N. Y.
Specialties made of
HICKS' REPEATERS, HICKS' RELAYS,
SURE-CONTACT KEY, "NOVELTY" SOUNDER,
Cheap Instruments for Learners, Amateurs, &c,
NEW GRAVITY BATTERY,
Hotel and Private House Electric Annunciators,
BURGLAR AND FIRE ALARMS,
Dial and Printing Instruments for Private Telegraph Lines,
CALL. BELLS AND ALARM BELLS of every style.
Batteries, Chemicals, Wire, Insulators,
Supplies, <&c., (&c.
MODELS and LIGHT MACHINERY made to order.
PRICE LIST.
Hicks' Repeaters (1873.) $100.00
Hicks' Relays from $12.00 to 18.00
Main Line Sounders " 12.00 " 19.00
Local Sounders " 3.50" 8.00
Keys " 3.00" 6.50
Learners' Outfits {complete) " 7.50" 10.00
Dial and Printing Instruments " 75.00 " 225.00
Annunciators, per room " 7.00" 12.00
Burglar Alarms " 50.00 " 200.00
Send for Circulars.
GEO. W. STOCKLY,
Sec'y and Treas.,
No. 4 LEADER BUILDING,
CLEVELAND, O.
D
R. L. BRADLEY,
No. 9 Exchange Place,
JERSEY CITY, N. J.,
Has discontinued the manufacture of Telegraph Instruments, and
is now giving special attention to the manufacture of his
UNIVERSAL, APPARATUS
Electric Measurement,
Which consists of his Tangent Galvanometer and his Theostat as
they have been recently improved, which, taken separately or
unitedly, constitute a means for correctly determining the resist-
ance of all conductors of electricity ; the resistance and insulation
of telegraph wires; the location of breaks, faults, crosses, Ac. ; the
relative specific resistance and conductivity of metals and other
conducting materials; the resistance and electro-motive force of
batteries; as well as the strength, quantity, or electro-chemical
equivalence of all currents of dinamic electricity. The capacities
of all other instruments for similar purposes combined, are em-
braced in this one. Its measurements are accurate and absolute,
and are easily read otf in British Association units, without the
necessity of arithmetical calculations. It packs in a case seven
inches deep and nine inches diameter, with a handled strap, con-
venient for safe transportation. Considering the wide range of its
capacity, it is cheaper than any other instruments.
Price of apparatus complete, is $200 to $230, according to stylo,
&c. Price, Tangent Galvanometers, $40 to $C0.
Descriptive pamphlets may be had on application.
(P. O. Box 5503.)
38 VESEY STREET.
He also pays special attention to the manufacture of his
CELEBRATED HELICES
WHICH ARK OP
Naked Copper Wire,
So wound that tho convolutions are separated from each other by
a regnlar and uniform space of the 1-800 th of an inch, the layers
separated by thin paper. In Helices of silk insulated wire, tho
space occupied by the silk Is the MBOth to tho l-300th of an Inch;
therefore a spool made of a given length and sizo of naked wire
will bo smaller and will contain many moro convolutions around
thecoro than one of silk Insulated wire, and will make a propoi*-
tionably stronger magnet, while the resistance will bo tho same.
These Helices are now offered for tho use of manufacturers of
Telegraphic and Electrical apparatUB, and orders will bo filled
promptly and on reasonable terms.
VI
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[January 10, 1814'
T
HE PERFECT BATTERY.
CLEANLINESS. CONSTANCY. ECONOMY.
LOCKWOOD BATTERY,
PATENTED APRIL 8, 1873,
L. G. TILL0TS0N & 00., Sole Agents,
No. 8 Det Street, N. Y.
This Battery has been in extended practical use for more than
a year, and is now acknowledged by leading Electricians
in this country and Europe to be
PAR SUPERIOR TO ALL OTHERS
for telegraphic purposes, or closed circuits of any description.
This Battery received the FIRST PREMIUM over
all competitors for
POWER, DURABILITY AND ECONOMY
AT THE
CINCINNATI INDUSTRIAL EXPOSITION OF 1871.
The size shown in the cut (No. 2), when charged with 5 lbs.
sulphate of copper per cell, is capable of working two or three
main circuits of average length for MORE THAN ONE YEAR,
without any attention whatever. The copper and zinc solu-
tions are perfectly separated, and there is
NO LOCAL ACTION,
and the circuit is absolutely unifokm at all times. It is
equally well adapted for a \
LOCAL BATTERY,
or for any purpose requiring a uniform, powerful and constant
current.
The number 2 size (price $2.50) is now ready for sale. Other
styles are in preparation, and will soon be put on the market.
Send for Circular.
L. G. TILL0TS0N & CO.
8 Dey Street, New York,
S O Hj E3 A&BNTS.
New York, Oct., 1873.
We have appointed Messrs. L. G. Tillotson & Co. Sole Agents
for the sale of the Lockwood Battery.
LOCKWOOD BATTERY CO.
W. H. Sawyeb, Secretary.
RTON'S PATENT PENCIL HOLDER.
"SATE THE PIECES."
This HOLDER is intended to save the last half or third of the
pencil.
DIRECTIONS.
When the pencil becomes too short to write with comfortably,
shave down the butt and screw into the Holder. The screw
makes its own thread, and will hold the pencil perfectly firm.
Price, 25 cents each.
Sent by mail on receipt of price.
Price per doz., $1.80.
Agents for towns, and counties wanted.
GEO. H. BLISS & CO., Gen'l Agents,
41 Third ave., Chicago, 111.
TTTATTS & COMPANY,
47 Holliday Street,
BALTIMORE^
MANUFACTTJEEES OP
ELECTRICAL AND TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
AND
Material of Every Description,
RELAYS, KEYS, SOUNDERS, COMBINATION SETS, &c, &c.
Nickel Plated Goods a Specialty.
A. VERY SUPERIOR MAIN LINE SOUNDER,
ENTIRELY NEW.
SOLE MANUFACTURERS OF THE
PATENT CIRCUIT-CLOSER KEY,
Which has met with marked success.
Price, $5.50 plain ; $7 nickel plated.
The following is from a competent judge, written after some
weeks' trial.
145 Broadway, Naw York, )
Sept. 22d, 1873. )
Dear Sir — Your circuit-closing attachment on the key, left
with me for trial, is pronounced by all who have used it a de-
cided and much needed improvement on the common form.
Respectfully,
A. S. Brown, Manager.
The Best Form of Battery Insulator Offered.
SIMPLE AND PERFECT.
Made of porcelain, handsome in appearanco. Occcupies little
more space than the cellit supports. Each cell of battery com-
pletely isolated. Leakage is reduced to the minimum by the
use of it. ' '*•*'•■
General Superintendent Van Horn, Southern Division W. U.
Tel. Co., writes of it :
" We have now in use a thousand or fifteen hundred of your
battery insulators, and expect to order many more before the
close of the year.
We have never used any battery insulator that equals it in
any respect. In fact, it appears to' be as near perfect as we can
reasonably expect, in a contrivance for that purpose."
Price 40 Cents.
We offer a very excellent article of Galvanized Wire, superior
to any in the market. The linemen on Baltimore and Ohio R.
R. say they have never seen its equal for toughness and
flexibility.
Special attention given to building.
Estimates given for any amount of material for telegraph
construction or extension.
SWITCHES, GALVANOMETERS, RESISTANCE COILS,
&c, to order.
Designs for Switch Boards for special service furnished.
SCOTT'S PATENT ANNUNCIATOR,
for Hotels and Residences.
ipARTRICK, BUNNELL & CO.'S
CHAMPION LEARNERS
AND
SHORT LINE TELEGRAPH APPARATUS.
A GREAT IMPROVEMENT
over all Instruments of the kind ever offered for this purpose,
consisting of a
No. 1 SOUNDER AND KEY COMBINATION SET,
AN EXCELLENT BOOK OF PBACTICAL INSTRUCTION IN
TELEGRAPHY,
OFFICE WIRE, CHEMICALS, etc.,
making a complete arrangement for one office.
The Instruments are full sized, complete in every respect. The
Battery is a full sized first class Callaud cell, and the entire outfit
has nothing about it which in any way resembles the many wretched
affairs which have been extensively sold as Learners' Apparatus.
Great numbers of our "Champion Instruments" are in use
upon short private lines, and upon City wires of Telegraph
Companies, where they are giving the greatest satisfaction, on
account of their very substantial make and excellent working
qualities.
We guarantee them to be in every respect better than any form of
Learners' Apparatus or Short Line Instruments ever offered to the
public.
Price of Apparatus, complete, with Book of Instructions,
Battery, Wire, and all necessary materials for one complete office
outfit, ready for shipment, sent C. O. D., $10 — or, if money order
sent for the amount, $9.50. The latter plan will additionally save
the purchaser the express charges for the return of money.
Price of Single Instrument, good for one mile or less, with-
out Battery $8 50
Ornamental style ditto, with rubber covered coils, without
Battery 10 00
Single Instrument, good lor working a line from one to
twelve miles 9 50
Ditto, ornamental, with rubber covered coils 11 00
Battery, per cell 1 50
PAETRICK, BUNNELL & CO,,
38 SOUTH FOURTH ST., PHILADELPHIA,
MANUFACTURERS OF
TELEGKAPH & ELE0TEI0AL INSTRUMENTS
and Supplies of every description.
Vol. X.
JVew York, Saturday, January 17 , 187 Jf.
Whole No. 392
i^HARLES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
^ 109 COURT STREET, BOSTON, MASS.,
MANUFACTURER OF
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
OF ALL KINDS,
O-AI/VANIC BATTERIES,
JONES' PATENT LOCK SWITCH,
PATENT ELECTRIC GONGS,
PRINTING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS.
ALSO, ON HAND AND FOR SALE,
D. W. PUTT & CO.'S Mechanical Telegraph
Instruments,
"' Pope's Modem Practice of the Electric Telegraph,"
AND A FULL ASSORTMENT OF
TELEGRAPH MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES,
AT THE LOWEST PRICES.
CANADIAN TELEGRAPH SUPPLY
MANUFACTURING COMPANY,
MANUFACTURERS OF
All kinds of Electrical Instruments
AND
TELEGRAPH SUPPLIES.
All orders promptly filled, at reasonable prices.
Office and Factory,
352 and 354 KING STREET, WEST,
Toronto, Ont.
"VT O V E L T Y!
A SOUNDER of Entirely New Construction,
which gives with the usual amount of battery a very heavy and
clear sound.
Size for Regular Offices $5 00
Small Size 3 60
Learners' Outfits, with small size Sounder, Key,
Battery, Chemicals, Wire, Instruction Book, &c,
all complete 7 50
Send for Circular.
TELEGRAPH SUPPLY AND M'F'G 00.,
No. 4 Leader Building,
CLEVELAND, O.
/CHARLES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
^"^ (established 1856.)
109 Court Street, Boston,
has for sale the various binds of Office and Magnet Wires, in-
cluding Cotton Covered, Silk, Gutta Percha, Painted, Fancy, and
DAY'S KERITE COVERED WIRE.
/COVERED WIRES,
^^ Made from Lake Superior Copper, warranted strictly
pure, covered with Hemp, Flax, Linen, Cotton, Silk or other
material, forTelegraph Instruments, Electro-Magnetic Machines,
Philosophical Apparatus, and all kinds of Electrical Purposes.
Also, PLAIN, WOVEN, ENAMELLED, SHELLACED,
PARAFFINED, and all kinds of
TELEGEAPH OFFICE WIEES.
Also, Telegraph Switch Cords,
many Patterns, Plain, Woven and Braided. Parties being partial
to any particular kind need only enclose a small specimen in a
letter and it can be imitated in every particular.
CONDUCTING CORDS, POLE CORDS, TINSEL.
G. THOMPSON,
(Successor to Josiah B. Thompson,)
29 North 20th St., Thila., Ta.
JOSEPH MOORE & SONS,
(Established 1820,)
535 & 537 CHINA STREET,
(Below Green St.,) PHILADELPHIA, Pa.,
MANUFACTURERS OF
INSULATED WIRES.
OFFICE WIRE— Plain, Braided, Prepared, &c.
INSTRUMENT WIRE— Cotton and Silk Covered, &c.
FLEXIBLE CORDS, all kinds, &c, &c.
We warrant all Wire to be of the highest conductivity, tested
by our Galvanometer, which compares with the tests of the
highest authority in this country.
R
EDUCTION OP PRICES.
POPULAR, EXCELLENT and ECONOMICAL.
THE NONPAREIL
TELEGRAPH APPARATUS,
For AMATEURS, STUDENTS and SHORT LINES.
Since the introduction of this Pioneer Low Priced Telegraph In-
strument, a little over a year and a half since, nearly 2,000
have been sold, and they are constantly more and more sought
after.
Hereafter we shall furnish them at the following popular rates:
Single Instruments, including Three Colls Baltory, Con-
necting Wire, Chemicals and Instruction Book $0 50
Two sets of Instrument?, etc 12 00
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
F. E. POPE & CO.,
[P. O. Box 5503.] 38 Vcsey Street, N. Y.
s
ITUATION DESIRED.
A Situation is desired by the subscriber as a Telegraph Operator.
She has had nine years' experience, and has filled responsible
positions in Commercial and Railroad offices satisfactorily, but
is at present without an engagement. Would prefer a situation
in an office in some city, or place of moderate size, where she
could have an office by herself — either in a Commercial or Rail-
road office.
Any person knowing of such a situation, or desirous of engage
ing her services, will please address
Miss A. NIXON,
Hobart, Lake County, Indiana.
£
NEW GALVANIC BATTERY.
Durability, Efficiency, and Economy of Expense
and Ea.Tbor at last Secured.
THE EAGLES METALLIC BATTEET.
PATENT APPLIED FOR.
The undersigned having secured the exclusive Agency for the
manufacture and sale of the
EAGLES METALLIC BATTERY,
now offer them to the public as the best Battery for Telegraphic
and other purposes yet devised.
The Battery cell is made of lead, and forms one pole of the
battery. Sulphate of copper is the only chemical required to be
used.
These Batteries have been fully tested during the last year,
although only recently offered for sale, and have proved to be
superior to any other as regards efficiency, economy and dura-
bility. When once set up they require no attention for from
four to six months, according Jo the service required of them.
Two sizes are made at present, but others will soon be ready.
No. 1 is a large square cell, and can be used as a local or for
running motors. Price, $2.25.
On Locals, one No. 1 cell is used in place of two Danielle, at a
saving of nearly one half in cost.
No. 2 is a round cell, designed for main line. Price, $2.
Descriptive circulars and price list forwarded upon applica-
tion to
F. L. POPE & CO.,
(P. O. Box 5503.
38 VESEY STJtEET, N. Y.
CALLAUD BATTERIES
KEPT ON HAND, AND ORDERS FILLED BY
W. MITCHELL M C ALLISTER,
728 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia,
0HAELES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
109 Court Street, Boston,
AND BY THE
WESTERN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING CO.,
AGENTS FOR THE UNITED STATES,
220 East Kinzie Street, Chicago, III.
w
ALLACE & SONS,
MANUFAOTOREB8 OF
BRASS, COPPER & GERMAN SILVER WIRE.
Also, BRASS, COPPER and GERMAN SILVER,
in the Roll and Sheet.
We make the manufacture of Electric Wire a specialty —
especially the finer sizes of Copper for conduction, and German
Silver for resistance purposos — guaranteeing the conductivity of
the same in overy instance to be superior to that of any other
manufacturer iu the market.
WAREHOUSE,
89 Chamber Street, N. Y,
MANUFACTORY,
A iison in. Conn.
11
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[January 17, 1814,
A LEXANDER L. HAYES,
Late Assistant Examiner of Electrical and Telegraphic Apparatus,
U. S. Patent Office),
SOLICITOR OF PATENTS,
No. 17 PEMBEBION SQUARE,
{Boom 12,)
BOSTON, MASS.
s
ECURITY MESSAGE HOOK.
PATENT APPLIED FOR.
The damage from the loss of a single message -will equip a line
many times with our new Hoot, which gives great security.
Price , 30 cents each.
" per dozen $3.00.
Liberal terms to the trade.
GEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
41 Third Avenue, Chicago, HI.,
General Agents.
s
ECOND-HAND RELAYS.
A large lot of well polished and good working Relays for sale
very cheap ; also, several sets of
SICKS REPEATERS,
in perfect order, at a nominal price.
GEO, H. BLSSS & CO.,
41 THIRD AVE., Chicago, 111.
iUSSELLS' AMERICAN
STEAM PRINTING HOUSE
17, 19, 21, 23 EOSE STEEET, near FEARKFOET,
NEW 'YORK,
EXECUTES ALL DESCRIPTIONS OF
BOOK, JOB AND COMMERCIAL PPJUTIEG,
TELEGRAPH PRINTING A SPECIALTY.
rpHOS. CHALMERS' SONS,
MANUFACTURERS OP
ELECTRIC ANNUNCIATORS,
FOB
HOTELS, DWELLINGS, STEAMSHIPS,:TACHTS,
etc., etc.,
AND ALL KINDS OF
ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS,
BELLS, BATTERIES, WIRE, etc.,
BURGLAR ALARMS, FIRE ALARMS',
79 VARICK STREET, NEW YORK.
A HAND-BOOK OF PRACTICAL TELE-
GRAPHY.
By R. S. CULLEY,
ENGINEER TO THE
ELECTRIC AND INTERNATIONAL
TELEGRAPH COMPANY.
Published with the sanction of the Chairman and Directors of
the Electric and International Telegraph Company, and adopted
by the Department of Telegraphs for India.
FOURTH EDITION,
REVISED AND ENLARGED.
vol.Svo, cloth §5 oo.
Copies sent free by mail on receipt of price.
My new Catalogue of American and Foreign Scientific Boots
eighty pages, 8vo, sent to any addiess on receipt of ten cente. '
D. VAN N0STRAND, Publisher,
23 MURRA Y STREET, N. Y.
nnHE
^ TELEGRAPH
AMATEUR'S
APPARATUS.
(Patented April 16th, 1872.)
This is a bona fide Telegraph Instrument, with a full sized
Trunnion Lever Key, with Friction Circuit Closer and a Pony
Sounder, both on same base.
The Battery used is Hill's Patent Gravity Battery, the most
constant and economical in use.
With each Instrument is furnished
ONE CUP OF BATTERY,
TWO YARDS OFFICE WIRE;
ONE PACKAGE BLUE VITRIOL,
ONE PACKAGE SULPHATE ZINC,
and a " Manual of the Telegraph," for the instruction of be-
ginners. This is a sufficient outfit for the student.
In operating a short line there will only be required, in
addition to the above, more cups of battery, according to the
length of line.
A COMPLETE OUTFIT FOR A TELEGRAPH OFFICE,
Seven Dollars and Fifty Cents.
Two Sets, complete $14 50
Sounder and Key only 6 50
" " with Cut-out and Lightning Arrester. .. 7 50
We will pay expressage on Amateur Outfits when price is
remitted in Advance.
GEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
SOLE AGENTS,
41 THIRD AVENUE,
Chicago, HI.
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
HAFFNER'S
TELEGRAPH MANUAL.
TO TELEGRAPHISTS.
I am now revising my " TELEGRAPH MANUAL," and desire
to make the work complete in its description of the present
state of
TELEGRAPHIC SCIENCE AND ART.
There are some Six Hundred and Twenty-five Illustra-
tions in the Edition of 1859, and the present coming Edition will
contain at least One Thousand, descriptive of the latest
improvements.
At present it is my design to issue two Volumes, containing
about 600 pages each, separating the Historical from the Ope-
rative.
I will thank any one for information suitable for such a work.
Would like drawings and description of apparatuses.
Respectfully,
TAL. P. SHAFFNEE,
78 and 80 Broadway^,
NEW YORK.
M
ODERN PRACTICE OF THE ELEC-
TRIC TELEGRAPH.
A HAND-BOOK
FOB
ELECTRICIANS AND OPERATORS.
By FRANK L. POPE.
Seventh Edition, Revised and Enlarged by the addition of 40
pages of New Matter on
RECENT IMPROVEMENTS,
AND
FULLY ILLUSTRATED.
8vo, cloth, , $2.00
rpHE BISHOP GUTTA PERCH A WORKS,
422, 424, 426 EAST 25th ST., N. F.
4® 1 - Copies sent free by mail on receipt of price.
My new Catalogue of American and Foreign Scientific Books
sent per mail, on receipt of ten cents.
D. VAN NOSTRAND, Publisher,
23 MURRAY STREET and 27 WARREN STREET.
S. BISHOP, Proprietor ,
ONLY MANUFACTURER
OF
PURE GUTTA PERCHA GOODS
IN THE
UNITED STATES.
<*iS*=
Has also on hand, and makes to order,
SUBMARINE CABLES, OFFICE CABLES, AND INSULATED
WIRES OF EVERY VARIETY,
FOB
TELEGRAPH, UNDERGROUND AND ELECTRIC USE.
Fuse Wires, Leading and Connecting Wires for SUBMARINE
and MINING PURPOSES.
Also, a NEW COMPOUND (thoroughly tested) for underground
and out-door use.
Cotton, Linen, Silk and Fibre covered Wires for
MAGNET AND OFFICE USE,
of any pattern or style,
OFFICE WiRES,
Cotton and Gutta Percha covered, with any number of conductors
required.
Gutta Percha and Cotton covered Wires for HOTEL ANNUN-
CIATORS, ELECTRIC BELLS and BURGLAR ALARMS.
Has on hand and makes to order
SUBMARINE CABLES, INSULATED WIRES, for
TELEGRAPH AND ELECTRIC USE,
AND FOE
BIAST1SG AND MINING PURPOSES,
In every variety desired.
As an Insulation forTelegraph Cables and Electric Conductors
Gutta Percha has been universally adopted by all scientific and
practical Electricians and Manufacturers of Telegraph Cables and
Wires in this country and Europe, and has sustained, with in-
creasing superiority in the practical test of over twenty-five
years' general use.
The PROPRIETOR will guarantee, to all parties purchating
SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH CABLES,
to make and deliver at his Factory any style of Cable. Insulated
with Gutta Percha, as low as they can import Cable of the same
style and quality, and in half the time required to import them.
CABLES OF ONE MILE OR LESS manufactured and de-
livered at one week's notice.
ORDERS RECEIVED AT THE FACTORY.
Messrs. L. G. TILI.OTSON & CO.,
8 DEY STREET, NEW T0BK r
have been appointed by me GENERAL AGENTS for the sale of
any Telegraph Cable or Wire manufactured at the Works in New
York, at Factory Prices, delivered in New York.
JOHN TH0ENLEY, 503 Chestnut St., Philadelphia,,
has been appointed Agent for the sale of any and all goods manu-
factured by me, at Factory Prices, delivered in New York.
Any Goods manufactured (except Telegraph Goods) are for
sale in New York by
SARGENT &. STUDLEY, 26 Park Place,
RUBBER CLOTHING CO.. 363 Broadway,
D. H0DGMAN &C0..27 Maiden Lane,
SHEPARD & DUDLEY, 150 William SL
Address all Communications to
S. B I S H O I? ,
OFFICE AT FACTORY.
January 11, 1814.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
13
The Telegrapher
A Journal of
ELECTRICAL PROGRESS.
J. N. ASHLEY.
PUBLISHER.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 1814.
VOL. X. WHOLE No. 392.
(Original %xi\t\t%.
The Elementary Principles of Electrical
Measurement.
By Frank L. Pope.
(Continued from page 2.)
Ohm's Laxo.
Each one of the four electrical phenomena that have
heen described is susceptible of being measured with
great accuracy. The essential properties of an electric
circuit may be said to be : First, the electro-motive
force included or contained in it; second, its resistance
to the passage of the current ; and third, the magnitude
of the current so passing. "When any two of these three
properties have a known value the value of the third
may readily be ascertained.
This is done by means of Ohm's law, upou which all
electrical measurements are founded — the importance
of which is only equalled by its simplicity. From
the fact that it is expressed in most books by algebraic
formulae, students are apt to be very much afraid of it,
but there need really be no difficulty in understanding
it. Unless he does understand it, the student can make
but little progress towards a thorough knowledge of the
phenomena of the electric current.
Ohm's law may be briefly stated as follows :
1. The current in any circuit is found by dividing its
electro-motive force by its resistance. ■
2. The resistance in any circuit is found by dividing
its electro-motive force by its current.
3. The electro motive force in any circuit is found by
multiplying its resistance by its current.
4. The quantity of electricity produced in any circuit
is found by multiplying the current by the time during
which it flows.
The algebraic formulge referred to are nothing more
than a short way of writing down the same thing,
thus:
Let Q denote the total quantity of electricity gene-
rated in any circuit.
Let B denote the electro-motive force in the circuit.
Let R denote its resistance.
Let C denote the current flowing in the circuit.
Let T denote the time during which the current
flows.
We may then write down the above statements,
thus:
(1) C = — . (2) R = — (3) E = RO. (4) Q = CT.
R C
For the benefit of those not familiar with algebraic
formulge, it may be well to state that, when two letters
standing for numerical quantities are placed one above
another in the form of a common fraction, it signifies
that the quantity above the line is to be divided by the
quantity below the line.
E
Thus — signifies E divided by R.
R
The sign = denotes equality; or that the quantities
on one side of the sign are equal to those on the other
side.
When two or more letters standing for numerical
quantities are written together, one after the other, it
signifies that they are to be multiplied together. Thus,
in the above case, the expression E = RC means that
E is equal to the product of R multiplied by 0, or, in
other words, that the electro-motive force (E) is equal
to the resistance (R) multiplied by the strength of cur-
rent (C), which is exactly what was stated above in
the third paragraph of Ohm's law — only in the former
case it required 78 letters to explain it, and in the lat-
ter case we express precisely the same thing by means
of four letters and one arbitrary sign, which, perhaps,
may serve to give the student some idea of the reason
why persons who understand algebra prefer to use it
whenever circumstances permit.
Units of Electrical Measurement.
In order to measure anything we must first provide
ourselves with suitable known standards or units of
measurement with which the unknown quantities may
be compared. Thus, in measures of space, we have the
inch, in measures of time, the second, and in measures
of force or weight, the pound.
The first well defined and accurate unit of electrical
measurement proposed, which met with much general
acceptance in practical work, was the resistance unit
of Dr. Werner Siemens, of Berlin, Prussia, which he
constructed in 1860.
The Siemens unit is defined as being equal to the re-
sistance of a column of chemically pure mercury, one
metre in length and one square millimetre in sectional
area, maintained at a temperature of 0° Centigrade or
32° Fahrenheit. No definite standards of electro-motive
force or of quantity have ever been authoritatively
established in connection with the Siemens resistance
unit. The ordinary Daniell cell furnishes a unit of
electro-motive force of sufficient uniformity and con-
stancy for ordinary purposes, and one which is used in
this way very generally by practical electricians.
A complete system of electrical units has more re-
cently been established by the British Association for
the advancement of science, which are usually known
as the B A units. They are as follows:
The Volt 1 is the unit of electro-motive force. It
does not differ greatly from the electro-motive force of
a single sulphate of copper cell, and for many purposes
may be considered equivalent to it. According to Mr.
Farmer's determination, the sulphate of copper battery
generally used in telegraph work has an electro-motive
force equal to 0-93, or i\% of a volt. 2
The Ohm 3 is the unit of resistance. It is equal to the
resistance of a round wire of pure copper ,§§ of an
inch in diameter and 408 feet 4 inches in length, at
a temperature of 60° Fahrenheit. - This is the size
generally known as No. 16 wire, Birmingham gauge.
Roughly, it is about equivalent to the resistance of
330 feet of ordinary No. 8 galvanized wire, such as that
used in the construction of telegraph lines. The ohm
and the Siemens resistance unit before referred to
do not differ greatly from each other. According to
the most trustworthy determination 1 ohm is equal to
1.0486 Siemens units, and 1 Siemens unit is equal to
0.9537 ohms.
The Farad* is the unit of quantity and of electro-
ns
c
static capacity. It is equal to the quantity of elec-
tricity that will pass through a circuit having a resist-
ance of 1 ohm during 1 second, with an electro-mo-
tive force of 1 volt. The use of the same unit for quan-
tity and capacity is a matter that seems somewhat
puzzling at first sight, but if we refer to our former
illustration in figure 2, the propriety of it becomes ap-
parent. The capacity of the vessel A above the line
xx may be for one gallon, and, in that case, the quan-
tity of liquid contained in it when it is full, will also be
one gallon.
The Weber has been proposed, b_y some writers on
the subject, as a unit of current, and is defined by
them as equal to the quantity of electricity that will
pass per second in a circuit having an electro-motive
force of 1 volt and a resistance of 1 ohm. The neces-
sity of a distinctive name for a unit of this description
is not very apparent, and would seem rather liable to
create confusion of ideas than otherwise. Fleeming
Jenkin, who is probably the best authority on the
subject, gives one farad per second as the unit of cur-
rent, and it is probable that his definition will be the
one ultimately adopted. It has the merit of being capa-
ble of comprehension, at all events, and when we speak
of a current of so many farads per second, the idea
conveyed is as distinct as it would be if we spoke of a
current of water of so many gallons per second.
The ordinary Callaud cell usually has about 3 ohms
resistance. If such a cell were placed on " short cir-
cuit," that is, haviug its poles connected by a wire so
thick as to offer no appreciable resistance, the current
traversing the circuit would be equal to one third of a
farad per second. One sixtieth of a farad per second
is sufficient to operate the relays in the main circuit
of a telegraph line. A local circuit for actuating a
sounder or register usually has a current of from one
fourth to one sixth of a farad per second. When a
1 So named from the Italian philosopher, Volta, tho discover
of the Voltaic battery.
•i According to the same authority the mean electro-motive
forces of some of the cells in common use are as follows :
Bi-Chromate Carbon 1.75 Volts.
Grove 1.C3 '*
Bunsen 1.59 "
Smee 62
3 So called in honor of Dr. G. S. Ohm, who was tho first to dis-
cover and lay down tho true laws of electrical action.
4 So called in honor of the English philosopher, Michael
Faraday, distinguished for his researches and discoveries in
electrical science.
current of a certain number of farads is spoken of, the
words per second are, of course, understood.
The wide variation in magnitude of the different
quantities dealt with by electricians— such for example
as the ratio of resistance between silver and gutta
percha, before alluded to— renders the use of multiples
and submultiples of the above units very convenient
in practice. The names and values of these are as foU
lows :
1 megavolt = 1,000,000 volts.
1 megohm = 1,000,000 ohms.
1 megafarad = 1,000,000 farads.
Similarly —
1 microvolt = , ooo.ooo of a volt.
1 microhm = 1>OOUtOOU of an ohm.
1 microfarad = ,.„„,',_„„„ ■ of a farad.
1 ,000,01)11
(To be continued.
"The Ghost."
Very likely it is not generally known outside of New
York that the Western Union office at No. 145 Broadway
is haunted — but such is the mournful fact — the appa-
rition, however, taking the unostentatious and frugal
form of a blank book, of goodly dimensions, on the
cover of which appears the following announcement:
" Telegraphica's Ghost."
Vol. 1.
A manuscript chronicle of events
occurring in and in connection with the general
office of the W. U. Telegraph Co., New York, and a medium of
communication between operators in quest of
" subs " or " subbing," edited by
W. P. Phillips,
and engrossed by the best penman that can be
induced to engage in the work.
New York, Jan. 1st., 1874.
On the fly leaf appears the appended lines, which ex-
plain themselves :
When Telegraphica's spark expired,
In bonny, blossoming June,
Many kind voices hastened to say
" Its being has closed too soon."
And though it never has returned
Through all the months now fled,
It has staid away, with reason,
And now sends its ghost instead.
As its founder sat pondering, Christmas night—
The season when spirits hold full sway —
This ghost came down through the chimney pot
And in hurried accents went on to say :
" Haste — oh I haste thee, and bring me a dress
From some neighboring blank book store.
That I may remain, for a time at least,
And breathe earth's air once more."
These were the words of the spirit,
And this is the dress that was got ;
May it prove a cheerful kind of a ghost,
This sprite of the dash and dot.
P. S. — The phantom requests, in blandest tones,
It be asked of the " powers that be "
That it be allowed to " lay around here,"
That all may its pages see.
Below are given a variety of extracts, calculated to
show the field in which the "Ghost" is calmly stalk-
ing, and the way it " chins " the boys about matters
and things in general :
"The glad New Tear — the great, the important day
to New Yorkers, big with the fate of calls, of cake and
wine — is here once more. Last night we telegraphic
knights nocturnal listened and heard old Trinity ring
out the chimes of requiem for dead 73, and felt with
gladness that the new born year was ushering in. How
easy to look back across the short expanse when last
year's infant note was pealed upon the air ! How easy
to peruse the page on which the events of the past
twelve months are written ! The leaf is scattered o'er
with marks awakening sad memories, vain regrets and
sweet remembrances. But we peer into the future to
no purpose; the wee bairn tells us naught of what's to
come. In its cycle it will surely bring marriage,
births and death ; failure and success ; defeat and vic-
tory; which, and to whom, we may not know as yet.
And still a little farther on new chimes will ring out
on the midnight air; the calls, tho cake and wine
again will be in order, and our familiarity with the fin-
ished page of '74 will make us marvel that its great
events were but so shortly enshrouded in mystery and
gloom !"
" The force list for New Year's day, which has been
tastefully drawn up by Mr. Bolan, is embellished
with three significant etchings by Mr. J. J. Callahan.
The first represents a day man astride a horseshoe
magnet, the speed of which is evidently retarded by a
'home resistance,' composed of the smell of poultry
in tho pan, the smiles of wife and children, and a .
natural longing to gather round tho hearth on Now
Year's day. The anxious follow is slowly bearing
down on 'No. 145,' though his eyes are eagerly turn-
ed towards the clock which looms up on Trinity, and
as ho notes the fact that its hands point to precisely
eight o'clock, he sinks his imaginary spurs into his
14
THE TELEGRAPHER
[January 11, 1814.
3ankless steed and gasps: 'I wonder if I'm on the
reserve?' The nest depicts an office scene, in which
the operators seem to have taken several steps hack-
ward in the direction of primitive man, as Darwin pic-
tures him. Bills and web feet, as well as claws, are
noticeable, suggesting that a diet somewhat poultryish
, has had a queer effect. There is a great effort making
to clear the hooks, in order to assist at a discussion of
a monster 'phoul,' which a sable seignoris bringing in,
indicating that primitive man or nothing is the object
to be achieved. The last of the group is a picture of
an 'owl,' on whose front— it can hardly be called a
face — despair is visibly imprinted, as he spasmodically
ejaculates, after the manner of Mr. Jingle, ' no pens —
can't draw on the 10th — broke!' It may be well to
state, for the benefit of a benighted posterity, that
with the close of 1873 the system of paying salaries on
the first, tenth and twentieth instants, so long in vogue,
is abandoned, and hereafter the first and fifteenth in-
stants will be the only days on which the telegraphic
mind will generally contemplate the purchase of the
Windsor Hotel, the completion of our gorgeous Court
House, or indulge in meditating an expenditure in other
ways of accumulated shekels."
"Our genial friend, Mr. Op. St. Mq. Weller, seems
to flourish with his wonted luxuriance since entering
the state connubial. Indeed, he is unusually majestic
since he became one of the day force. We have no in-
formation to the effect that he meditates becoming one
of the Brooklyn Board of Aldermen, but, even in the
absence of such information, we cannot refrain from
saying that he is rapidly building up n physique which
would do honor to a representative from Gowanus."
"The current number of Harper's Magazine has an
interesting article on the manner in which press busi-
ness is conducted among the Washington correspon-
dents. There are several illustrations, oue of which
represents ' Newspaper row,' with the Western Union
Telegraph and Associated Press offices, which are in
the same building, occupying a conspicuous place.
There is also a cut entitled "Rushing for the Wires,"
in which our ' 0. W.' Washington office is well depict-
ed. Likenesses of Ben. Perley Poore, the famous cor-
respondent, L. A. Gobright and J. W. Simonton, lend
the article peculiar attractions to the telegraphic eye."
" We hereby make Mr. Thomas R. Taltavall one of
our most gracious bows. It is. to him we are indebted
for all the ornamental work that has entered thus
far into this remarkable history, including the tasteful
lettering on the cover and the careful execution of the
verses. When we contemplate the finish, the grace
and the symmetry of Mr. Taltavall's work, and com-
pare it with our original copy of the same, which was
about as shaggy as a buffalo robe, we realize 'how com-
petent he is to change chaos into order, and removing
our cap reverentially, we pretend to blow our proboscis
while we really shed a ' briny' over our shortcomings."
The engrossing is neatlv and skilfully done by Mr.
Thomas J. Bishop, and the " Ghost," naturally enough,
has been an object of great interest since its advent.
The management, it is hoped by those interested, will
not manifest a disposition to deny it the coveted privi-
lege to
" 'lay around here,'
That all may its pages see."
The New Central Telegraph Office in London.
The Telegraphic Journal of Dec. 15th contains an
engraving of the magnificent new building, now nearly
completed, which is to be occupied as the central sta-
tion of the Postal Telegraph system in London. The
exterior is very handsome, being ornamented with col-
umns, and cornices, and mouldings, in the renaissance
style, executed in sufficiently bold relief to break up
the front, so as to produce a pleasing effect. In style
the building forms as strong a contrast to the new
office of the Western Union Company in this city as
could possibly be imagined, though, to our fancy, the
latter is the most effective of the two. We copy a
portion of the Journal's description of the new build-
ing:
" The material used is granite as high as the ground
floor, and above that Portland stone. The building is
300 feet long by 90 feet wide, and forms a parallelo-
gram pierced with two central courts, which are the
secret of the plentiful supply of light. The ground,
first and second floors are taken up by the different
offices of the departmental staff, from the Postmaster
General's rooms downward. The ledger room on the
ground floor is of fine proportions, and very handsome
with its pillars and mouldings of white stone, but the
principal feature of the building is the great telegraph
room, by far the largest in the world, occupying the
whole of the upper floor. Its area is 20,000 square
feet, and there are two thirds of a mile of mahogany
instrument tables. The wires are already laid from the
main lines into the room, which is at present a sort of
electric siding to the telegraph system of the country.
When all is ready the telegraph street wires will be
cut, and the stream of messages turned into the new
office. The countless ends of wires growing through
the mahogany tables will each be connected with an
instrument, and beside each instrument a card fixed in
a stand will give the number of the " circuit." These
will be, as far as possible, distributed geographically,
Scotland and Ireland being in one corner together, so
that the room will be a sort of telegraphic map. All
the wires are gathered together at the " test box," a
neat array of " terminals." To these terminals the 440
wires are led from out of doors, and then on the in-
struments at the tables — the object of having all the
wires together at one point in the building being to
enable the eugineer to alter the service, as may be
necessary. Bach terminal being numbered, the route
of the wire is known, and it can be used when wanted
in making up afresh circuit, or line of direct communi-
cation. Every evening the telegraph service of the
country is altered for press purposes — ordinary wires,
no longer wanted for private messages, being joined
together to make lines of direct communication with
towns in need of newspaper matter. There is, for in-
stance, no direct communication with Darlingtou dur-
ing the day, public messages being repeated from one
place to another till they reach it ; but at six o'clock
the Darlington Echo begins to want its news, and the
direct line or " circuit" necessary for the quick and
economical transmission of the long press messages is
made up for the benefit of the Echo by joining a Lou-
don and Sheffield, a Sheffield and Leeds, and a Leeds
and Darlington wire. A Darlington and Newcastle
wire is also joined on, so that the same information
may at the same time reach auother journal. Wheu
Mr., Bright delivered his recent speech at Birmingham
a similar arrangement and diversion of wires enabled
his speech to be telegraphed simultaneously by 12
automatic and 17 Morse instruments — one of the former
being equal to two of the latter. Altogether, 150,000
words, or matter equivalent to more than 90 large print
columns of The Times, was telegraphed from Birming-
ham that night between 9 P. M. and 2 A.M. The
numbers on the brass finials of the test box in the tele-
graph room of St. Martin's-le-Grand indicate the route
as well as the destination of each wire. Thus Liver-
pool has in all no less than 17 wires, of which eight go
by the London and Northwestern Railway, six by
the Great Western, and three by the Grand Junction
Canal. Of the thin green paper tape, dotted with tele-
graphic strokes, no less than 10,000 miles a month are
used throughout the kingdom. The color is chosen as
being less trying to the clerks' eyes. Even these 10,-
000 monthly miles of telegrams are not nearly all, for
they do not represent the messages of the sight and
sound instruments, of which there are 6,000 in use, as
against 1,500 automatic or recording instruments.
All along one side of the great telegraph room are
ranged the curved leadeu tubes and brass fittings ot
the pneumatic delivery apparatus. Eighteen miles'
length of this pneumatic tubing are laid to twenty-five
telegraph stations in the city and Westminster, which
can thus deliver their telegrams at the Central Office
in parcel form faster than the messages could be sent
by wire. The messages are enclosed, twelve or sixteen
at a time, in despatch tubes, which are shot along the
exhausted pipe to the counter of the Central Office.
From the counter they are carried to the check table,
whence they' are distributed, partly by messengers and
partly by travelling tapes, to the clerks at the instru-
ments. The Post-offices being the only collectors and
distributors of messages, telegrams for the cables and
lines of private companies come to this central office,
aud are sent thence to the offices of the coaipanies by
pneumatic despatch. The 440 wires workiDg directly
from the telegraph room are in communication with
upwards of 1,000 stations. The battery room on the
basement will have 25,000 battery cells, and here,
again, the wires are collected together at a test box
studded with innumerable brass finials. There is
300 miles, length of gutta percha covered copper wire
within the building.
Leaving the spacious and handsome instrument room
(the telegraphic workshop and executive are lodged on
the same floor), we notice through the windows the
great chimney rising from the boiler house built in the
floor of the south court. Descending a staircase under
a handsome suy light, we pass the departmental offices
of the lower floors, aud turning along corridors, always
well lighted, descend to the engine house, on the floor
of the north court. Here there will be three engines
of 50 horse power each, for the pumping work of the
pneumatic tubes, and two of 10 horse power, to draw
water from the well of 400 feet deep which is being
sunk on the premises. This well will soon repay its
cost, and even the 50 horse power engine on Telegraph
street spends close upon £000 a year in drink. The
new offices will have cost altogether when complete
about £450,000, of which £300,000 has been swallowed
up by the site. We rejoice that the administration at
the Post-office of so distinguished a man as Dr. Lyou
Playfair commenced at the time of the opening of this,
the greatest telegraphic centre in the world.
[From tlie Telegraphic Journal.]
Mathematics for Non-Mathematicians.
BY W. PAGET HIGGS, LL. D.
Division I. — The Algebra, of Constant Quanti-
ties.
(Continued from p. 313, Vol. IX.)
Limit of Series,
The powers of a quantity greater than unity increase
without limit. Thus, there is no power of 2 but that
the next higher power is greater. Improper fractions
follow, of course, the same law ; thus, 1^- raised to the
second power, or 1| x H, as it contains the half of one
and a half more thau one and a half, is greater than
the first power. The powers of unity only never in-
crease; but the powers of a proper fraction, or of a
quantity less than unity, always decrease. Thus, the
powers' of i, viz., i, i, JVi 3 \, etc., constantly dimin-
ish. Representing an integral quantity by x, and a
1
fractional quantity by — , the powers of the first, or
x
x*, x :i , etc., continually increase, while the powers of
1 1 1
— , viz., — , — , etc., diminish in value. Thus, with
X X* X 3
the series
x x 3 - X3 . • • • x", etc.,
we have the following conditions:
I. An increasing series, if x is greater than unity.
II. A decreasing series, if x is less than unity.
III. A series whose terms are all of the same value,
when x = 1.
In the first and third cases, the sum of the series
may evidently be made as great as we please by the
addition of more terms. But where x is less than
unity this may or may not be possible.
If we take the decreasing series,
l+i+i+i+iV+sV etc -
the sum of this series will constantly approach 2, but
will never attain that value. It will always be neces-
sary to add the last term to obtain the value 2. Thus,
(l+i)+i = 2--
(i+A + i + i) + i = 2.
2 is then the limit towards which the series
1 + i + i, etc.,
constantly approaches.*
Such a series as 1, r, r' 2 , r 3 .... r", has, then, al-
ways a limit when x is less than unity. The powers
of r are constantly decreasing in value, and the higher
the name of the power the lower its value. Let n be
1 — n
a very distant term ; will be the sum. But
1 — r
1 — r 1 — r 1 — r
whence we see that the more distant is the termw (or,
n 1
rather, the smaller the fraction, ) the less is
1—r 1—r
— is then the
affected by the subtraction. —
1 — r
limit towards which the series 1 + r + r a , etc., ap-
proaches.
The formula given in our last section for the summa-
tion of au infinite series was
a
2 = ,
1 — r
where a is the first term. Substitute 1 for a, and we
have as well by this method the expression
1
= 1 + r .... +r„,
1 — r
where n = oo . Whence we perceive that " the sum of
an infinite series is the limit toward which we approxi-
mate by continually adding more and more of its
terms."
German troopers are now exercised in climbing up
telegraph poles, and furnished with instruments to cut
the wires. This is, of course, intended for service in
an enemy's country, and the work is executed under
cover of a dark night. The men are despatched across
the country in couples; whilst one of the troopers
dismounts, climbs up the pole and cuts the wires, the
other holds his comrade's horse, and keeps a look out
for any indication of interruption on the part of the
enemy.
* But we are not therefore to conclude that every decreasing
series has a limit, it is possible to arrange a series (for instance,
the reciprocals of the integer numbers in lots, each containing
half as many terms as there are units in the denominator of its
last term) having no limit.
January IT, 18T4.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
IB
(ttmmwMltnM.
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our
Correspondents. Our columns are open to free discussions
on all Telegraphic subjects, without distinction of person or
opinion.
No notice will be taken of anonymous communications.
Telegraphic Progress in Northern Michigan.
Bat City, Mich., Jan. 7th.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
Perhaps a brief account of the progress made by the
"Western Union Telegraph Company, relative to the
extension of their lines within the past three years in
this woody country, will not be uninteresting to some
of your readers.
The excellent manner in which the majority of your
correspondents contribute to your columns, tends to
throw my efforts in the shade, and almost discourage
me from making any attempt to follow their example;
however, I will go as far as my abilities will permit.
Three years and a half ago (so I am informed by Mr.
Cooper, our efficient manager here) there was no such
thing as a telegraph line north of Bay City. During
the year 1871 the "Western Union Company built a line to
Au Sable, a distance of 75 miles from here. In 1872 they
added 165 miles to this, extending to Mackinaw City.
During the year just closed the same line has been
increased by an additional 245 miles of wire, together
with five miles of cable, which crosses the straits of
Mackinaw (and which cost the company $10,000);
thence by overland route to Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.,
-and Marquette, L. S., making a complete circuit, from
this point to Marquette, of 490 miles. There are 24
offices along the route, the most important of which
are Tawas, An Sable, Alpena, Cheboygan, Mackinaw,
Sault Ste. Marie, "White Fish Pomt and Marquette,
which places are all more or less engaged in au exten-
sive lumber business. The line is equipped with five
batteries, their respective situations being at Mar-
quette, Sault Ste. Marie, Cheboygan, Alpena and
Bay City. It is also well supplied with repairers,
there being about half a dozen stationed at various
points, at a respectable distance from each other. It
should be borne in mind that this line traverses no
civilized country — three fourths of it running through
woods, and, for 25 miles, between Sault Ste. Marie
and "White Fish Point especially, where it finds its
way through the thick and gloomy forest, devoid of
any road save a narrow pathway cut out by the build-
ers when engaged in constructing it. During fine and
dry weather we can work through to Marquette (with-
out repeaters) like a charm, and on the same adjust-
ment as if we were working with a neighboring office.
Manager Cooper. thought he would try an experiment,
by connecting this Hue with one of our Detroit wires.
This being accomplished, to our great susprise we had
the satisfaction of hearing messages passing through
from Detroit to Marquette, and vice versa — a circuit of
600 miles without repeaters. This lengthy circuit would
only permit of slow and firm manipulation. During
this extended circuit a message was sent from Mar-
quette to Chicago, it being repeated at Detroit only,
and an answer received at Marquette in precisely eight
minutes from the time the first message left the office.
I might also state that, to receive an answer to a letter
by mail, would require six weeks. As a general rule,
the wire is cut at Sault Ste. Marie, that office repeating
for Marquette; this will necessarily have to* be the
case during the busy season of navigation.
From the above you will see that Bay City is an im-
portant telegraphic centre, inasmuch as it is the re-
peating office for this extraordinary long wire. Four
years ago Bay City was only afforded two wires, one
to Detroit and the other to Jackson, Mich., the entire
business being conducted by our present able manager,
Mr. Cooper. Now we have four wires, two of which
connect us with Detroit, one from Saginaw City to
Otsego Lake, which is a railroad wire on the line of
the J. L. & S. R. R., the other to Jackson, Mich., as
before stated. Our force consists of four operators,
one of whom, Mr. F. S. Hogau, is entirely devoted to
press reports, and is, without any exception, a first
class operator. The company also employ a book-
keeper and two messengers here, but in the summer
we are blessed with three.
"Without any exception our office is one of the cosiest
and best fitted up in the State. We have a place for
everything, and everything is in its place ; and, as re-
gards our manager, the only depredation we can find
him guilty of is that he is too lenient with us. Take
us on the whole, we are a happy fraternity of tele-
graphic artists. We are also considerably high toned,
inasmuch as that we indulge in the fragrant smoke of
Havanas; but should the company deem it advisable
to reduce the salaries of their employes ten or fifteen
per cent., we would necessarily and very reluctantly
(with a sour expression overhanging our pleasant
countenances) have to fall back on our brier root
pipes — which would be exceedingly degrading in our
own estimation, after the progress we have heretofore
attained.
I will close, hoping ere long to say something rela-
tive to some further extensions and improvements in
telegraphy which will be made in the spring in the
northern part of the State.
So far so good for progress, enterprise and persever-
ance. Q-
The Duplex Telegraph.
To the Editor of the Telegrapher.
I have noticed some discussion in the last two num-
bers of The Telegrapher in regard to the invention
of the duplex telegraph apparatus, and being some-
what familiar with the subject, it is possible that I may
be able to throw some light on it. " Inventor " suggests
that Mr. Farmer's apparatus, patented in 1858, may
have lacked some essential element, by the addition of
which, at a later date, the invention was rendered com-
plete and practical.
I have before me a copy of Farmer's patent of 1858.
The arrangement figured in the drawings is very much
like the "differential duplex" now in use on the West-
ern Union lines. The transmitting circuit breaker is
arranged so as to make contact between the battery
and line before breaking it between the ground and
the line, and is shown in another figure, worked
by a local circuit and key. The relay is wound
with two distinct wires. In fact, the only essential
difference is in the connections, for the same iden-
tical apparatus shown in the drawings — the differ-
ential relay, circuit preserving key aud adjustable rhe-
ostat — might be worked either on Farmer's plan or on
Stearns', merely by changing the connections. Far-
mer's drawings also show a duplex repeater, and a dif-
ferential relay having two magnets opposite to each
other, acting on a single armature lever.
It is quite possible that Stearns' arrangement may
work better than Farmer's ever did, but it is certain
that the latter was worked successfully on lines 300 or
350 miles long at least fifteen years ago. I remember
its having been shown to me the first time I was ever
in the Boston office, which was in the latter part of
1859. It was a very wet day, but the apparatus was
working to Portland as well as could be desired. It
was also worked between Cincinnati aud Indianapolis
(I think) about the same time. Mr. W. Wiley Smith,
now of Indianapolis, would probably know all about
that experiment. In fact, if I recollect rightly, there
was quite a serious effort made to introduce the inven-
tion at that time, but there were several reasons why
such an effort could not have proved successful. One
reason was the wretched character of the lines in those
days, not so much from bad insulation — though that
was bad enough — as from rusty and imperfect connec-
tions, which caused wide aud sudden fluctuations in
resistance — a condition of things fatal to the satisfactory
operation of any duplex system whatever. There was
also the fact that such an invention was much less
needed then than now. The wires were comparatively
few in number and not overburdened with business
at that. Then again, there was that old, inveterate
prejudice against new inventions, which was consider-
ably more formidable then than now, though even yet
it is very far from being extinct. If Mr. Stearns had
not himself been President of a telegraph company I
have not the slightest idea that he would have been
able to introduce his invention into practical use for
many years to come, if at all. The manner in which
it was decried and ridiculed by the officers of the West-
ern Union Company, even after it had been in daily use
on the Franklin line for more than two years, is well
kuown, and affords an excellent example of this.
In reference to the interference between the patents
to which your correspondent alludes, I have only to
say that it is a simple question of fact, and can only
be decided after a very careful investigation of the
whole subject by competent persons. In any event it
concerns nobody but the owners of the respective oat-
ents, who are doubtless abundantly able to look after
their own interests. F. L. P.
Elizabeth, N. J., Jan. \Wi, 1874.
Congress and the Telegraph.
Washington, D. C, January 14.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
Since the reassembling of Congress telegraph mat-
ters have scarcely been thought of either in or out of
the Capitol.
The House Committee on Appropriations, to which
the subject was referred, have had no time, and appa-
rently little disposition to bother themselves with the
matter. It came up, however, yesterday in the I'mii-
tnittee, and was postponed until next Tuesday, when it
is proposed to dispose of if in one sitting. The senti-
ment of the Committee is known, however, to bo very
much opposed to the scheme of buying existing lines,
and the proposition contained in Mr. Cresswell's report,
that the Government shall ignore existing telegraph
interests and build new lines, to compete with those
now in operation, is not regarded seriously by anybody,
except possibly by Mr. Cresswell himself.
As has been before stated, there is no prospect of
anything being done in regard to telegraph matters at
this session. The absence of any popular demand for
a Government ownership or management of the tele-
graphs, would prevent its favorable consideration by
Congress, even if other conditions were favorable to it,
which is not the case.
Even the Postmaster General has abandoned any ex-
pectation of accomplishing anything in the furtherance
of his pet project at present, and, from the indications
at this time, Congress aud the telegraph is likely to
prove a barren subject, so far as any special interest is
concerned. Capitol.
♦-♦-<►
Setting up the Gravity Battery.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
Is it the rule (I do not find it anywhere), in setting
up Callaud cells, to put all in position, water included,
and close on short circuit before supplying sulphate of
copper ? My observation is that this is the very best
way. Circuit being closed, the first trace of acid
reaching the zinc causes current, and consequent con-
sumption of sulphate of copper, keeping the strong
solution away from zinc, when it is not desired to use
sulphate of zinc to start with. S.
[This method of setting up a battery is recommended
by most writers on the subject, except that they do
not give any specific directions as to whether the cir-
cuit is to be closed before or after the sulphate of
copper is dropped in. Our correspondent's suggestion
is a good one. — Ed. Telegrapher].
Solution of Problem.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
I offer the following as a solution of B.'s problem
on page 3 of The Telegrapher of January 3d:
Any one of the stations can work simultaneously to
the three others, provided the wires are connected at
the intersection, by using his own battery, the other
stations being connected to ground without battery.
According to Ohm's law the current will divide into
three parts at E ; and, for that reason, the sending
station should be supplied with a battery affording a
sufficient quantity of electricity. An ordinary sulphate
of copper battery, in the above case, would suffice.
The same arrangement should be adopted at each
station. When at rest, every station should have the
extremity of its branch line connected through its re-
lay with the ground, to be ready for any coming mes-
sage, and, before sending, the receiving station is called
as usual, as they receive all together. An open circuit
key, as on European lines, would be advantageous in
that case, although not necessary.
Geo. D'Infreville,
Consulting Electrician and Engineer.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
" B.'' asks how offices A, B and D, connected by
lines joined at E, may work with each other.
There are two ways.
First. Let him try the old open circuit plan, or what
is nearly the same, double pointed keys, front to battery,
back to ground, lever to line, without circuit closer.
Second. Let him increase his capital stock and sell
enough to pay for wire to bnild it as it should be, and
to also pay two or three semi-annual divideuds, after
which, when the stock cau be bought in at from
twenty-five to thirty cents, secure all within reach,
then sell a control to the Western Union at fifty cents,
and close out the whole concern by lease at four per
cent, on the whole capital. Perkins.
[We have also received solutions to this problem
from J. L. W., C. H. H. and R. J. H., which are cor-
rect, but the above will be sufficient. Our correspond-
ents have solved this problem apparently with little
difficulty].
How the Difficulty of "A Sticking Key" may
be Avoided.
New York, Jamcary Gth.
To the Editor of the Telegrapher.
Sticking Keys are the bugbear of fast telegraph-
ing. I had one that bothered me terribly, and the
following simple device saved mo all trouble and
avoided all difficulty. I inserted a little oil between
the platinum points, which is then held iu suspense by
the attraction of the metal, aud does not have to be re-
newed more than once or twice a month. My key has
never stuck since, and 1 do not think it will, though I
work it very close. The oil should be pure ; watch oil
will do ; and, very probably, some other non-conducting
substance, such as glycerine, could be used with ad-
vantage. E. M. D.
16
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[January 11, 1814.
The Telegkraphek
Devoted to the Interests
OF THE
TELEGRAPHIC FRATERNITY.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 1874.
THE TELEGRAPHER:
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY at 38 VESET ST.
T E IM T H VOLUME.
TERMS OP SUBSCRIPTION.
One Copy, One Year, ----- $9.00.
INVARIABLY IN ADVANCE.
Single Copies Five Cents.
SPECIMEN COPIES FORWARDED FREE on APPLICATION.
Communications must be addressed to
J. 1ST, ASHLEY, Publisher,
(P. 0. Box 5503.) 38 VJESEY ST. , New Yorh.
npHE TELEGRAPHER.
A JOURNAL OF ELECTRICAL PROGRESS,
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS
OF THE
Telegraphic Fraternity and the Advancement
of Electrical Science and the
Telegraphic Art.
Published Every S aturday ,
AT
No. 38 VESEY STREET, New York.
TENTH VOLUME.
The Tenth Volume of THE TELEGRAPHER will
commence with the number for SATURDAY, JANUARY 3d,
1874, and will close with the year.
All the popular features of the paper will be continued, and it
will be improved from time to time, as opportunity shall offer.
THE TELEGRAPHER
has now, for nearly ten yeaes, been maintained upon its merits,
and without patronage or support, other than that derived from
its legitimate business, for the past five years. (Previous to lhat
time it was partially maintained by the National Telegraphic
Union.)
The TENTH VOLUME commences under favorable auspices,
and it may be said that it enjoys the entire confidence of the
TELEGRAPHIC FRATERNITY,
whose organ it is and will continue to be. It is a thoroughly
INDEPENDENT TELEGRAPHIC NEWSPAPER,
bound to, or in the interests of no telegraphic clique or com-
bination, but honestly devoted to the interests of the
PRACTICAL TELEGRAPHERS.
As heretofore, no labor, time or expense, warranted by the
patronage received, will be spared to improve its character, and
add to its interest, and to sustain its reputation as the only
FIRST CLASS
ELECTRICAL AND TELEGRAPHIC JOURNAL
UPON THE
AMERICAN CONTINENT.
Terms of Subscription.
ONE COPY, ONE YEAR $2 "00
SINGLE COPIES Five Cents.
Canada Subscribers must remit Twenty Cents in addition for
Specimen Copies will be forwarded free on application.
Telegraphers and others are desired to act as Agents in obtain-
ing subscriptions, and will be allowed Twenty Per Cent. Com-
missions in lieu of Premiums or Club rates upon the amount of
such subscriptions, winch may be deducted from remittances
when made.
Any person sending the names and money for four subscri-
bers, at the regular price of subscription, two dollars per year,
will be entitled to receive aw extra copy free.
Subscribers changing their residences, and desiring a
change in their address, must always send their old as
well as their new address.
Remittances for subscriptions may be made by mail, by post-
office order or registered letter, at the rick of the" Publisher, but
no responsibility will be assumed for money sent without such
precaution. On remittances of not less than five dollars the
cost of the order or registration may be deducted from the
amount.
Advertisements are solicited, and will be inserted at reasonable
rates ; but no Advertisement will be inserted for less than One
Dollar per insertion.
All communications relating to or intended for THE TELE-
GRAPHER must be addressed to
J. N. ASHLEY, Publisher,
(P. 0. Box 5503.) NEW YORK.
Consolidation and Telegraphic Competition.
The absorption of the lines of the Pacific and At-
lantic Telegraph Company into the "Western Union
system, although anticipated for more than a year past,
naturally creates some uneasiness on the part of tele-
graphers and the public as to the permanence and
stability of other competing telegraph organizations.
It is not to be denied that there is a fear that these may
one by one be forced to succumb, and that in the end
the assertion, so confidently made by Mr. Orton in his
late report to the stockholders of his compauy, that at
an early day there would be practically no competition
in the telegraph business of this company, may prove
to have a better basis than has generally been supposed.
Ve do not regard these fears and anticipations as
well founded. The fate of the Pacific and Atlantic
Company, from its management, was inevitable, if not
actually intended by Mr. Thurston, its late President,
and those associated with him in the actual control of
the company. It has long been known that it was in
a moribund condition, and that the period of its exist-
ence as a telegraph organization was dependent upon
the will of its former rival. The only cause for sur-
prise is that it existed so long — not that it has at last
been exhibited in its true colors.
As we have before stated, that compauy is rnuph less
damaging to the competing interests in its present con-
dition than it was while dragging out a miserable im-
pecunious existence. It has removed an obstacle to
the progress and enterprise of other companies, which
are honestly engaged in maintaining telegraphic com-
petition. It throws open to occupancy an important
section of the country, and there is no doubt but that
at an early day the routes which it covered will be
made available for the establishment of new lines,
which it is to be hoped will be managed more efficiently
and honestly than those which preceded them. It is
essential, however, to the safety and permanence of
any telegraphic system competing with the 'Western
Union, that it should be practically one in interest and
management. It will not do to continue an attempt
at a guerilla contest, aud operate in comparatively
small and feeble organizations. There is telegraph
business enough for two national organizations, and it
would be the part of wisdom for the existing telegraph
organizations not in the Western Union combination to
unite their forces, and act vigorously and effectively
for the best interests of all concerned. Until this is
done they are liable one by one to meet the fate which
has overtaken so many similar organizations, and which
has so recently befallen the Pacific and Atlantic Com-
pany.
The railroad telegraph system of the country has be-
come of great extent and importance, and it is for the
interest of the railroad companies generally that they
be enabled to control and operate their own lines. It
seems to us that they are deeply concerned in the main-
tenance of an effective and powerful telegraphic com-
petition. If any telegraphic organization shall succeed
in establishing a practical telegraph monopoly, it will
not be content until it brings the railroad telegraph
lines into subjection to it, either through the notorious
Page patent or some similar outrageous monopolizing
device. The railroad companies of the country should
not be compelled to pay tribute to or submit to the
exactions of any telegraphic monopoly. It seems to
us that they are vitally interested in this matter, and
should not be slow to combine their forces with those of
a competing organization such as we have indicated.
In fact, one or more of the great railroad companies
might very properly take the lead in bringing about
such a combination and consolidation of the telegraphs
and telegraph organizations outside of the Western
Union.
The telegraphic field is ripe for this harvest, aud to
secure it it is only necessary that the proper parties
should, without unavoidable delay, proceed to do the
work. If this opportunity should be neglected, it is
hardly probable that so excellent an one will soon be
again presented. Such an organization as might thus
be brought about would be national in its character,
and by availing itself of the best telegraphic systems,
with the pecuniary resources which it would possess,
could maintain itself against any efforts possible to be
made against it. Such an extended telegraph system,
properly and economically managed, would undoubtedly
prove profitable also, and serve the interests of inves-
tors, the fraternity and the public alike.
It is evident that there is not the slightest proba-
bility of Congress interfering with the telegraphs of
the country — it could not if it wonld in the present
condition of the public finances — and past experience
has demonstrated that it would not if it could, so long
as the public is properly served at reasonable rates —
and there is no popular demand that, in addition to
its other multifarious duties, the Government shall un-
dertake the telegraph business of the country. As
long as there is any effective competition in the tele-
graph business there will be no popular or general de-
mand for a Government telegraph. The only condi-
tion which would create this demand, in our judgment,
would be such a telegraph monopoly as Mr. Orton
and his associates in the management of the Western
Union Company have labored for years to establish,
and which that gentleman assures his stockholders will
be established in the near future. We are satisfied
that in his case the wish is father to the thought, and
that there is yet too much good sense on the part of
those intrusted with the management of the competing
companies to allow them to go to the wall, when
they can so easily be not only preserved but strength-
ened, and their value and importance increased.
The interests of the public and of the telegraphic
fraternity require that there shall be telegraphic com-
petition. It will, indeed, be an unfortunate day for
the telegraphers generally when the Western Union
or any other 'telegraph organization, through a mon-
opoly, shall have them at its mercy. The great body
of employes of the Western Union Company are to-day
benefited by the existence of its competitors. The
result to the fraternity of the establishment of a tele-
graphic monopoly must be too evident to every intelli-
gent telegrapher to require detailed elucidation from
us. It is in their interest and in that of the public that
we urge such action on the part of managers of exist-
ing competing telegraph organizations, and on the part
of railroad managers, as shall assure the creation and
permanence of a united, powerful and successful com-
petitor of the Western Union Telegraph Company.
The Social and Professional Status of Telegraph
Operators in this Country and Europe.
American operators, generally, have but little idea
of the different social and professional status of prac-
tical telegraphers in this country and Europe. Indif-
ferent as many of them regard their position and com-
pensation, they are in every respect in advance of the
similar class there. To some extent here a good opera-
tor is expected to have some knowledge of electrical
science, and to be able in an emergency to assume the
management of the wires and business. In Europe a
telegraph operator or cierk (as they are termed) is
merely an operator, and is expected to know nothing
more than how to send and receive messages. The ar-
rangement of circuits, management of batteries, test-
ing; removal of difficulties, etc., are intrusted to officials
specially assigned and instructed in such duties, and it
would be regarded as presumptuous and absurd for a
mere operator to interfere in the higher branches of
the business. As a natural sequence to this they are
paid proportionately, and the salaries received by them
would be scouted by even second rate American opera-
tors. They are in fact barely sufficient to enable them
to live in a very humble and unpretentious manner—
and the discipline in which they are held is of the most
stringent and strict character. Their social position is
but little, if any, above that of other laborers, and not
so good as that of the better class of merchants and
storekeepers' clerks and assistants. The business be-
ing a Government monopoly, they are compelled to ac»
cept such positions and salaries as are offered them,
and cannot vary their employment at will, as is the
January it, 1814.]
THE TELEGRAPHER
case here. As an offset to the small amount paid for
their services, it must be acknowledged that two or
three are employed to do the work that any competent
operator is expected to do in this country, so that the
advantage pecuniarily to the system is not so great as
would at first sight appear.
We do not think that the telegraphers in this country
would be pleased if placed under similar conditions as
to professional and social position, and certainly not as
regards the scale of salaries, as their European brethren.
The" enjoy advantages and have prospects in life
which the latter would never dream of, and this ought
to be some compensation for the evils of which they
not unfrequently complain.
Naturally, in the increase of the telegraph business
in extent and importance, the duties have been subdi-
vided to a considerable degree, even in this country,
and in the larger offices especially, the operators, as a
general thing, are not expected to be as familiar with
the whole routine of duties as formerly — but almost
every telegraph operator here looks forward to the time
when he shall become chief operator and manager, and
every manager has in view the higher position of super-
intendent, and this incites the better class to become
acquainted with electrical science to some extent, and
its application to practical telegraphy.
Socially, the American telegrapher is as good as
anybody else, and it is his or her own fault if they
occupy a lower social position than others of the com-
munity.
The successful publication of The Telegrapher is
an illustration of the different status of the American
telegraphers from that of any European country. In
no other country would it be possible to maintain a
publication which should be devoted to the interests
and the organ of the telegraph operators themselves.
This idea would be regarded as absurd, and not the
least so by the operators themselves.
We hope that our telegraphic friends will think of
these things, and that they will strive by all means in
their power to improve their social and professional
status. They can do this most effectually by seeking
to obtain a more thorough scientific and practical
knowledge of their profession. Every telegraph opera-
tor who desigus to make the business a permanent
occupation, should, seek by study and application to
become fitted to discharge creditably and satisfactorily
any position in the telegraph service. They should not
be satisfied with a knowledge of the merely mechani-
cal duties of manipulating a key and reading telegraph
signals as they are transmitted. However expert they
may be in these, they are but the lower rounds in the
professional ladder, and those who would go higher
must be content to study and investigate, instead of
idling away their time in material pleasures and tem-
porary personal gratification. There is a brilliant
telegraphic future before us, and let it be the ambition
of one and all that the telegraphic fraternity shall be
worthy of the highest respect and honor, and not, as in
other countries, mere servants, for whom there is little
chance of professional or social elevation.
value to any person interested in telegraphy than
many times the amount of the subscription price. In
fact, we do not think that any. such person can really
afford to be without it. This is not our opinion alone,
by any means. "We are almost daily in receipt of let-
ters of the most flattering character, and, if we may
credit the statements of our correspondents, The Tele-
grapher is constantly improving, and becoming more
valuable from week to week. We hope that tele-
graphers will seriously consider whether they can
properly and advantageously dispense with the paper,
and whether in i eality, if it is necessary to economize,
economy cannot be better exercised in some other di-
rection. The recent additions to our subscription list
indicate that our views in this matter are by no means
ours alone. There is still room on our books for many
more subscribers, and we hope the good work that has
been so excellently commenced will be continued, until
every telegrapher who desires to be advanced in the
profession, and who especially seeks to become better
qualified for the discharge of telegraphie duties, shall
be enrolled on its subscription list.
Impecunious Telegraphers.
Not a few telegraphers, when solicited to subscribe
for The Telegrapher, excuse themselves on the
ground that they are too poor, and cannot afford the
small amount required to secure its weekly visits.
There may be a few who make this excuse in good
faith, but in most cases it will not bear examination.
How many are there who have made this excuse that
do not every month waste in useless or hurtful expen-*
ditures more than the subscription price of the paper
for a year? If a telegrapher does not desire to receive
the paper, or does not consider.it of sufficient value to
repay the investment, he or she may very properly de-
cline to subscribe for it. We can in such cases only re-
gret their lack of appreciation, but have no reason to
question their honesty.
The amount of information and instruction contained
in a volume of The Telegrapher makes it'of far more
Congress and the Postmaster General.
Postmaster General Cresswell evidently is not
in favor with the members of Congress. His urgent
pleadings with that body to establish a Government
telegraph system, and to entrust to his department its
control and management, fall on unheeding ears ; and
now his recommendation to establish a postal savings
bank system is understood to meet with no favor in the
committee to which it was referred. The transmission
of public documents free through the mails is likely to
be restored, and the expensive foolery of printing
stamps, to be sold to the other Government depart-
ments and officials, for use on official communica-
tions, instead of their being franked as heretofore, will
probably be abandoned. The deficit in the revenues
of the Post-office department the last fiscal year was
over $6,000,000, and is increasing, notwithstanding the
abolishing of the franking privilege. We are afraid
that he will be forced to the conclusion that Congress
is a very intractable and altogether obnoxious assem-
blage, and managing the Post-office affairs of the coun-
try a by no means desirable job. Jlowever, he can
console himself with the idea that if he is inclined to
give it up there will be no difficulty in finding a suit-
able person to take it off his hands, and, possibly, one
with fewer crochets in his head and somewhat less
ambition may find it easier to get along with.
A Very Pretty Project.
As many of our readers know, the speculation in
■Western Union Telegraph shares has been very active
since, the monetary stringency has been relaxed, and
the price which, during the panic, was depressed to the
neighborhood of fifty, has recently advanced rapidly,
and is quoted at 76 to 79, and has even touched 80—
some 4,000 shares having been sold at that figure on
the Stock Exchange one day last week. This rapid
advance has been stimulated by reports that it was in-
tended to declare a large dividend shortly, and that the
Executive Committee of the company had the matter
under consideration. Last week some parties engaged
on the bull side of this speculation got up a petition
addressed to the management of the company, which
was circulated in the Exchange, proposing that, in ad-
dition to the $7,000,000 of the stock which was held by
the company on the first of J uly last, enough more
should be purchased by the company to reduce the
Capital stock to $30,000,000 ; and that then $15,000,000
of 7 per cent, income bonds should be created and di-
vided among the stockholders pro rata, as representing
the net earnings of the company since 1869. This
would be in effect preferred stock, and the capital of
the company would then be represented by $30,000,000
of common stock, and $15,000,000 of these income
bonds, or preferred stock, in addition to its other in-
debtedness. Undoubtedly this would bo a very good
arrangement for the speculators, and the circulation of
17
the petition had the immediate effect of advancing the
prices of the stock, which was probably all that was
designed by the enterprising genius who devised the
scheme.
It has not generally been supposed the nominal cap-
ital of the Western Union Company required any addi-
tional inflation. The plan which was originated by
President Orton, and iu the carrying out of which the
late Horace E. Clark was engaged, was to reduce
the capital and bonded debt to $30,000,000, by invest-
ing the net earnings of the company in its own shares
until the amount had been thus reduced. This plan,
the legality of which at best was exceedingly doubtful,
came to grief when Mr. Clark died, and as is well un-
derstood, has been abandoned ; but it is not reasonable
to suppose that the present managers will not only
undo what has been accomplished in that direction,
but actually dilute still further the already excessive
nominal capital of the company.
It is understood to be the policy of the present man-
agers in the future to distribute in dividends the net
earnings of the company, and it is not improbable that
a dividend of some as yet undetermined amount will
be declared Iry or before the first of July next.
Watts & Co.'s New Catalogue.
AVe have received from Watts & Co., of Baltimore, a
catalogue of telegraph material and electrical appara-
tus manufactured and sold by them, which is very
carefully and handsomely got up. It is illustrated with
engravings of nearly all the different articles kept on
hand, including several specialties of this firm which
have already become widely known. Among these
may be mentioned the main line sounder, or " wreck
instrument," very useful and convenient in railroad
work ; keys with Davis' patent circuit closer — an excel-
lent device ; a cheap, simple and effective dial instru-
ment, which only costs forty dollars; Scott's patent
hotel annunciator, and the well known Baltimore bat-
tery. The catalogue will be found of much intrinsic
value merely as a book of reference, as it contains all
the formulae and tables for size, weight and resistance
of iron and copper wires, and a very full and explicit
series of instructions for the use of students and ama-
teurs, in which we think we recognize the handiwork
of our old friend, Mr. J. B. Yeakle, who is now asso-
ciated with Watts & Co., and attends principally to
the electrical work of the establishment. Copies of the
catalogue may be had on application to Watts & Co.,
47 N." Holliday street, Baltimore.
Patent Insulated Telegraph Wires.
The use of Insulated Telegraph Wires has very
largely increased during the last few years, and the
quality of such wires has been greatly improved. The
new advertisement of Mr. Eugene F. Phillips, of Prov-
idence, R. I., which appears in this number of The
Telegrapher, will be found of interest to all who may
have occasion to use such wires. The wires manufac-
tured by Mr. Phillips are of a very superior quality,
and the demand for them has been so large, and is in-
creasing so rapidly as to require an enlargement of his
factory, which is now completed, and in future he will
be able to fill all orders promptly and satisfactorily.
We have no hesitation in recommending those wires,
as we know them to be all that is claimed for them.
Telegraphic Positions on Central and South
American Lines.
We are occasionally iu receipt of letters from tele-
graphers, who desire to obtain situations on telegraph
lines iu the Central and South American States, askiug
for information as to rates of compensation, chances of
obtaining situations, how to make applications, etc.
Prom such information as we have of these lines wo
do not feel at liberty to encourage any telegrapher,
who has employment in this country, in seeking to bet-
ter his fortune by emigrating to those countries, as we
understand the rates of compensation of telegraphers
there are much less than in this country. The climate is
18
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[January IT, 1874.
unhealthy for foreigners, and the mode of living not
agreeable to those who have been used to living here.
The lines are all Government property, and the policy
adopted is to fill the positions with natives — proficiency
and ability not beiDg of much account.
In no country in the world are telegraph operators
so well paid, or as pleasantly situated, notwithstand-
ing the disadvantages which undoubtedly exist, as
here ; and our advice to all telegraphers is to remain
where they are rather than engage in a very dubious
search for improvement in their situations, by emigra-
ting to any Central or South American country.
The "Public Ledger' 9 Almanac
We have received from Mr. George W. Childs, of
Philadelphia, the Public Ledger Almanac for 1874.
This almanac is annually prepared for and presented
to the subscribers to the Public Ledger newspaper, of
which Mr. Childs is the publisher, gratuitously. It
contains a large amount of useful information, handy
for reference, and is a very handsome and valuable
work. It is not printed for sale, and none are sold.
Mr. George Clark, late Train Despatcher on the
Pennsylvania Central and St. Louis Railroad at Pitts-
burg, and formerly of the Philadelphia and Erie Rail-
road, has been appointed Special Agent for Mr. George
Webb, Assistant General Manager of the Pennsylvania
and St. Louis Railroad.
Messrs. George H. Bowker. and M. P. Smith,
have accepted positions with the Atlantic and Pacific
Telegraph Company at Albany, N. T.
Mr. 0. E. Lake, of Poughkeepsie, 1ST. T., has accepted
a situation with the Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph
Company at Troy, iST. Y.
lit* liifQppb.
Telegraphic and Electrical Brevities.
The Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Company have
opened offices at 44 Pine street, 122 Front street, New
York City, and 18 Exchange Place, in Jersey City, W. J.
These offices were recently occupied by the Pacific and
Atlantic Company.
The Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Company have
opened an office in the Delevan House, Albany, N. Y.,
with Mr. E. A. Gay as operator.
The Atlantic and Pacific and Franklin Companies
have secured some of the best offices recently occupied
by the Pacific and Atlantic Company in the principal
cities where the lines of these companies extended, and
opened offices for their lines in them.
The bill before the Legislature of New Zealand,
authorizing a cable to Australia, has become a law.
It is suggested that, in the laying of ocean cables,
communication between the deep sea line and floating
buoys, all along the route, be arranged. A ship in dis-
tress could, by sending a boat and crew to one of the
buoys, send word to the shores for help.
The West India and Panama Telegraph Company.
A movement is on foot among the shareholders of
the West India and Panama Telegraph Company to
call an extraordinary meeting of the company, fqr the
purpose of taking into consideration the report of the
committee, and reconstituting the present board. This
step has been rendered necessary in their opinion by
the fact of the directors declaring that they would use
the proxies received by them before the date of the ap-
pointment of the committee in voting upon the recom-
mendations of the report.
A more remarkable abuse of the privilege of using
proxies has seldom been attempted than that which ap-
pears to have been the case at the recent meeting of
the shareholders. With one single exception every
person present approved the report of the committee,
and endorsed the opinions which were expressed as to
the past management of the company's affairs. The
proxies which the directors used were, however, given
to them prior to the appointment of the committee, and
consequently before they could have known anything
whatever respecting the nature of the report. As the
directors appear resolved to persist in the use of proxies
obtained under these circumstances, the only course
open to the shareholders is that which has been sug-
gested of calling a special meeting, and taking such steps
as they consider necessary for the protection of their
interests. — The Baihvay News.
New Patents.
<j®~ Official Copies of any XI. S. Patent issued since July
1st, 1871, including drawings, specifications and claims in full, sent
free to any address for 25 cents each. Address P. L. Pope, P. 0.
Box 5503, New York City.
For the iceek ended December 16, 1873, and bearing that date.
No. 145,532 — Electbo-Pneumatic Action fob Musical Insteu-
ments. William F. Scdimoele and Henry Schmoele, Jr.,
Philadelphia, Pa., assignors of one third their right to Charles
Schmoele. Application filed March 7.
A small wind pocket, operated by an electro-magnet, is used
as a trip to operate the vaive of a wind instrument.
1. The use or application of an eleotro-magnet to operate a
wind pocket or pockets employed to work the valve, substantially
as set forth.
2. The form of pocket and valves employed, admitting the
wind by a groove with double aperture, controlled by two valves
or nuts opposed to each other on a screw threaded wire, substan-
tially as set forth.
3. The small or primary pocket with diminutive valve, to con-
trol the large or secondary pocket, which operates the pallet or
other resistance, substantially as described and set forth.
The custodian of many secrets — the telegraph ope-
rator.
AN TED,
Wanted to know the whereabouts of ROBERT McCALLUM.
Was operating on the B. and M. R. R. when last heard from.
Any one knowing him, or having seen him during the past three
years, will please communicate with his brother, ALEXANDER
McCALLUM, Mendocine City, California, and by so doiDg will
confer a great favor.
rpELEGRAPH POLES.
Parties who are in want of good
CEDAR TELEGRAPH POLES
can obtain them on favorable terms, and have them delivered
at any Lake Port between Oswego and Chicago, on the
opening of Navigation, by applying to
A. A. COLBY,
P. 0. Box 1,376. TORONTO, ONTARIO,
CANADA.
EUGENE F. PHILLIPS,
MANUFACTURER OF
REED-& PHILLIPS'
PATENT INSULATED TELEGRAPH WIRES,
(PATENTED, NOVEMBER 18th, 1873.)
Lock Box 369. PROVIDENCE, R. I.
Having recently enlarged our factory, we are "now prepared
to furnish at short notice any style and quantity of
BRAIDED LINEN or COTTON COVERED WIRE,
saturated and finished with our Patent Compound, which makes
the most durable, handsome and best Insulated Braided Wire
manufactured.
PAINTED, PARAEFINE or SHELLAC WIRES
also furnished at|the lowest prices. Iron or Compound Wires
covered upon reasonable terms.
We are also prepared 'to furnish a new style of
ELECTRIC CORDAGE,
which has been pronounced by all superior to any in the market.
The American District and Gold and Stock Telegraph Com-
panies have been supplied from my works with a" greater
portion of the office wire used by them.
jg®~ Sample Card and Price List furnished when requested.
Phillips' Wire can be had of
L. G. Tillotson & Co '. New York.
Charles T. Chester "
E. L. Pope & Co
W. HOCKHAUSEN "
Patrick Bunnell & Co Philadelphia.
Watts & Co Baltimore.
Charles Williams, Jr. .' Boston.
Thomas Hall — i "
George H. Bliss & Co Chicago.
General Superintendent's Office,
American District Telegraph Co.,
New York, January 1st, 1874.
E. P. Phillips, Esq.
Dear Sir: Your office wire is a decided success. We have
used it exclusively for two years and consider it the best in the
market.
Respectfully,
W. H. SAWYER, Gen'l Sup't.
Anson Stager, Elisha Gray,
Pres't. Sup't.
Enos M. Barton,
Sec'y.
ESTERN ELECTEIC MANUFACTUR-
ING COMPANY.
No. 220 KINZIE STREET, CHICAGO.
TELEGRAPH, WIRES, INSTRUMENTS,
BATTERIES, TOOLS,
INSULATORS and SUPPLIES.
Annunciators for Hotels, Steamships, Dwellings.
Our Annunciators are the most extensively used and the most
perfect in operation.
Automatic Mercury Fire Alarm, for Hotels, Steam-
ships, Public Buildings.
Five years' operation have proved its merits.
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
HAMBLET'S ELECTRO-MAGNETIC WATCH CLOCKS AND
TIME DIALS.
Western Electric M'f'g Co., Chicago.
TELEGRAPH WIRE, Numbers 8, 9 and 12.
UNION BRAND, AND
UNION BRAND EXTRA QUALITY.
JOHNSON'S WIRE.
BROOKS' INSULATORS, GLASS INSULA-
TORS and BRACKETS.
KENOSHA INSULATORS, all kinds.
PAINTED CROSS-ARMS.
KENOSHA CROSS-ARMS.
OFFICE WIRE, many varieties.
COPPER & COMPOUND KERITE WIRE.
CABLES TO ORDER.
Western Electric M'f'g Co., Chicago.
EROME REDDING & CO.,
30 HANOVER STREET, BOSTON,
MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS IN
Electrical and Telirapl Mrwats.
A FULL ASSORTMENT OF TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
CONSTANTLY ON HAND.
Telegraph, Magnet, Office, and other Insulated Wires,
INSULATORS, BRACKETS.
PATENT* ELECTRIC WATCH-CLOCK
THE BEST IN USE.
ELECTRIC BELLS AND ANNUNCIATORS,
At prices which defy competition.
, Batteries of Every Description,
At unusually low prices.
Battery Carbons all sizes, with Improved Connection
Medical Batteries from $4 Upwards.
s4.ZL GOODS Ws±ltll34.JV2ED JFIHS2 CZslSS,
AND PRICES EXTREMELY LOW.
SEND FOR PRICE LIST.
January 17, 1874.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
in
P
ANIO PRICES.
OUR PROFITS HAVING BEEN AMPLE,
WE OFFER OUR CUSTOMERS THE
BENEFITS OF THE RECENT
REDUCTION
IN THE COST OF LABOR AND MATERIAL.
w.
ALL WHO NEED
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS and SUPPLIES,
Uarge or Small Quantities,
WILL CONSULT THEIR, OWN INTERESTS BY PURCHASING
FROM US.
SEND POR OUR NEW PRICE LIST.
A Special Discount given on Cash Purchases.
GEO. H BLISS & CO.,
41 THIRD A VENUE,
Chicago, 111.
G
1EO. H. BLISS & CO.,
41 THIRD AVENUE,
Chicago, III.
TELEGRAPHIC, ELECTRICAL AND MEDICAL APPARATUS.
HOCHHAUSEN,
Manufacturer of
ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS,
132 WILLIAM STREET (rear),
Between Fulton and John Streets, NEW YORK.
Agents for KIDDER'S MEDICAL APPARATUS.
" AMERICAN COMPOUND WIRE.
" JONES' LOCK SWITCH BOARD.
" ROBERTSON'S BATTERY INSULATOR.
" " HILL'S GRAVITY BATTERY.
" " HILL'S HOTEL ANNUNCIATOR and FIRE ALARM.
" MCPHERSON'S IRON BATTERY.
" THE AMATEUR TELEGRAPH APPARATUS.
« .. prjTT'S MECHANICAL INSTRUMENTS.
" KENOSHA INSULATOR.
«' BROOKS'
" UNITED STATES ELECTRIC GAS LIGHTING COM-
PANY.
" POPE'S RAILWAY SIGNALS.
" " EAGLES METALLIC (RESERVOIR) BATTERY.
" " SELDEN'S PRINTERS.
" " ANDERS 1 MAGNETIC DIAL AND PRINTER.
IMPROVED AMATEUR SOUNDERS.
AN EXTRA FINISHED AND GOOD WORKING SOUNDER,
No. 3 $4 00
A WELL FINISHED AND GOOD WORKING SOUNDER,
No. i 3 00
A WELL FINISHED AND GOOD WORKING KEY, No. 4. 4 00
Initruments, Line Material, Office Wire, Magnet Wire, Touts:,
Battery Material, Chemicals, Boohs, Stationery,
constantly on hand.
W Special attention given to REPAIRS and MODEL WORK.
One half of actual size
ELECTRIC BELL,
PATENT SELF-CEOSING- KEY,
(Patented October 27, 1873.)
Price $5 50
The lever of this Key swings in two directions, vertical and
horizontal. A spring presses it against an adjustable contact
point on right hand side.
In sending with this key take hold of the knob and move to the
left, this opens the circuit, then operate in the ordinary way. As
soon as released the lever swings back against side contact point,
closing the circuit.
The Platina Points are large and bard.
Self-Starting Register, of new design, protected by a Glass
Shade, complete, with Paper Reel and Weight. . $50 00
Sounders, from 4 50 to $6 50
Electric Bells, single stroke or continuous ringing,
trom 5 00 to 8 00
Relays, from 9 50 to 10 00
Improved Switch Keys, from 3 00 to 5 50
Send for Illustrated Circulars.
'The above may alsobe had of F. L. POPE k CO., 38 Vesey street,
New York, at Manufacturer's prices.
ECLANCHE BATTERIES.
CAUTION.
All persons are hereby notified that Batteries infringing upon
our patents are in the market (some of them nearly worthless).
The public are warned against using any such infringements, as
in every case the guilty parties will De prosecuted to the fullest
extent of the law. The genuine Batteries have the words " Pile
Leclanche " on the carbons and glasses. Any information con-
cerning such infringements will be thankfully received by the
Leclanche Battery Co.,
.Yo. 4-0 West fSth Street.
New York, October 11, 1873.
rpiLLOTSON'S EXCELSIOR
1 TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT.
(PATENTED JUNE 24, 1873.)
^~ —
This apparatus is constructed of the best material, and finished
equal to any Telegraph Instrument, and is warranted first claHs
in every particular. It is especially adapted to the- require-
ments of Students of Telegraphy and the operation of Private
Telegraph Lines.
Price, complete, Sounder and Key mounted on finely
finished Mahogany Rase, with one Cell Hill's Pateut
Battery, with Chemicals, eight feet of Office Wire, aud
" Smith's Manual of Telegraphy" $7 50
Two sets 14 50
Price of Sounder and Key onlv (i 50
with Cut Out and Lightning
A rrester attached 7 50
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
No. 8 HEY STREET, N. Y.
nPHE BEST TELEGRAPH MATERIAL
-*■ IN THE WORLD
IS SUPPLIED BY
L. G. TILLOTSOJST & CO.,
8 Dey Street, New York,
MANUFAOTUKERS, DEALERS and IMPORTERS
OF
TELEGRAPH MACHINERY, SUPPLIES
AND
Line Equipment of every Description
MATERIAL AND INSTRUMENTS
always on hand, for the equipment of lines of any length, at a
moment's notice.
We furnish first class goods at low prices. Liberal arrange-
ments made with Superintendents, Contractors and Builders
of Telegraph Lines.
Registers $38 00 to $45 00
Spring Registers 47 50
Relays 14 00 to 18 00
Sounders 3 50 to 7 60
Keys 4 00to 6 50
Main Line Sounders.... 14 00 to 18 00
Combination Sets 20 00 to 30 00
Galvanometers, $7 00 upward.
RATTLER TELEGRAPH SOUNDER, $3.50.
POCKET INSTRUMENTS, Nickel Plated, in Hard Rubber
Cases, Ijx2x5 inches.
CUT-OUTS, Plug, Peg or Button, with or without Lightning
Arresters, for one, two or more Lines.
JONES' PATENT LOCK SWITCHES, the best and cheapest in
use, with or without Lightning Arresters.
PEG or PIN, CULGAN, REPEATING, GROUND, LOCAL,
BATTERY and SINGLE BUTTON SWITCHES.
LIGHTNING ARRESTERS for any number of wires, of most
approved patterns.
ELECTRO-MAGNETS,
PERMANENT MAGNETS,
APPARATUS for STUDENTS and
AMATEUR TELEGRAPHERS
ELECTRIC MOTORS,
PRINTING and DIAL
INSTRUMENTS,
FLECTRICAL ANNUNCIATORS,
FIRE and BURGLAR ALARMS,
ELECTRO-MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS.
RHUMKORFF COILS, from X to 10 inch spark.
GEISSLER'S TUBES, from $1.00 upwards
ELECTRICAL CALL AND ALARM BELLS in great variety,
from $6.50 upward.
INSTRUMENTS furnished Nickel Plated at 20 per cent, ad-
vance onXist Price.
OFFICE WIRES, from 80c. to $1.25 per pound.
GUTTA-PERCHA COVERED WIRES, all sizes.
BISHOP'S NEW COMPOUND COVERED WIRE, for running
into offices, 4c. per foot.
MAGNET WIRES, in Silk and Cotton, at Factory prices.
INSULATED WIRES for special purposes made to order.
SILK COVERED SWITCH CORD, one, two or more conductors.
PATENT MESSAGE HOOKS, the best ever introduced, prices
65c. and 75c. per dozen.
MANIFOLD PAPER and AGATE STYLUS at bottom prices.
CABLES AND SUBMARINE WIRES.
REPAIRERS' TOOLS AND TOOL BAGS.
GLASS AND RUBBER WINDOW TUBES.
KENOSHA AND OTHER INSULATORS
OF EVERY DESCRIPTION.
BRACKETS, PINS AND SPIKES.
HILL, CALLAUD, GROVE, BUNSEN, CARBON, DANIELLS,
LECLANCHE, NITRO-CHROMIC AND OTHER
STYLES OF BATTERY IN ANY
QUANTITIES.
PURE CHEMICALS AT LOWEST PRICES.
SULPHATE OF COPPER A SPECIALTY, AND PRICES VERY
LOW.
CARBON PLATES made to order for Grenil, Smee, Stohrer and
other Batteries.
OFFICE FIXTURES AND BATTERY UTENSILS OF EVERY
DESCRIPTION.
"Smith's Manual of Telegraphy," .... 30 cents.
ALL STANDARD WORKS on ELECTRICITY k TELEGRAPHY.
SOLE AGENTS FOR
RICHARD JOHNSON & NEPHEW'S celebrated LINE WIRE.
Catalor/ue and 2*rice List furnished upon application .
L. G. TTLLOTSON & CO.,
8 DEY STREET, NEW YORK,
IV
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[January 11, 18*74.
AMERICAN FIRE ALARM AND
POLICE TELEGRAPH.
GAME WELL & CO.. Proprietors,
62 BROADWAY. NEW YORK.
J. W. STOVER.
General Agent and Superintendent.
L. B. FIRMAN, Chicago, 111.,
General Agent for the West and North- Wast.
J R. DOWELL, Richmond. Va.,
Special Agent for Virginia and North Carolina.
3. A. BRENNER, Augusta, Ga.,
Special Agent for Georgia and South Carolina,
L, M. MOiSKOE, New Canaan, Conn.,
Special Agent for New England,
ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE CO.,
San Francisco, Gal.,
Special Agents for California, Oregon and Nevada,
THIS SYSTEM OF
FIRE ALARM & POLICE TELEGRAPH
WITH A CENTRAL OFFICE,
OB
UPON THE AUTOMATIC PLAN,
Is now In operation in the following Cities, to which reference is
made for evidence of its great
SUPERIORITY, VALUE
AND
UNIFORM RELIABILITY.
AiDany, A. Y.,
Alleghany, Pa.,
Boston, Mass.,
Bridgeport, Conn.
Buffalo, N. Y.,
Baltimore, Md.,
Chicago, 111. ,
Cincinnati, Ohio,
Columbus, Ohio,
Cambridge, Mass.,
Oharlestown, Mass.,
Coviugton, Ky.,
Detroit, Mich.,
Dayton, Ohio,
Elizabeth, N. J.,
Fall River, Mass.
Fitchburg, Mass.,
Hartford, Conn.,
Indianapolis, Ind.
Jersey City, N. J.,
Louisville, Ky.,
Lowell, Mass.,
Lawrence, Mass.,
Lynn, Mass.,
Mobile, Ala.,
Montreal, Canada,
Milwaukee, Wis.,
New York City,
New Orleans, La.,
New Bedford, Mass.,
New Haven, Conn.,
Newark, N. J.,
Oiiraha, Neb.,
Philadelphia, Pa.,
Pittsburg, Pa.,
Portland, Maine,
Peoria, 111.,
Providence, R. I.,
Quebec, L. C>,
Rochester, N. Y.,
Richmond, Va.,
St. Louis, Mo.*
St. John, N. B.,
Springfield, Mass.,
San Francisco, Cal.,
Savannah, Ga. ,
Syracuse, N. Y.,
Troy, N. Y„
Taunton, Mass.,
Toledo, Ohio,
Toronto, Canada,
Washington, D. C,
Worcester, Mass.
tne Distinctive Features of these Systems of
Fire Alarm and Police Telegraphs
ABE,
Vint— The Automatic Repeater, through which the
apparatus may be distributed in a combination of circuits, and
the entire system successfully worked, without the constari t per-
sonal attention of either operators or watchmen.
Second — The Automatic Signal Boxes.
Third— The Electro-Mechanical Bell Strikers,
adapted to produce the full tone of the largest church or tower
bells.
Fourth— the Electro-Mechanical Gong Striker,
for hose and engine houses, by means of which the location of
the fire is instantaneously communicated to the members of
each Are company.
These Features combined form the
Only PLRKCT, COMPLETE and RELIABLE System
OF
FIRS ALARM TELEGRAPH
IN THE WORLD.
It is a sumcient vindication of the claims whieh are made by
the Proprietors of these systems of
FIRE ALARM
AND
POLICE TELEGRAPHS,
that they have sustained the test of more than twenty years of
practical use, and that the efforts which have been repeatedly
made to supplant them by other inventions have
COMPLETELY FAILED;
the few instances in whioh municipalities have been induced to
adopt other systems having demonstrated their insufficiency
and unreliability, and resulted in their abandonment, and sub-
stitution therefor of the
AMERICAN FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH.
Messrs. GAMEWEIiL & CO. are the owners of the
original FARMER & CHANNING PATENTS, one of the most
important of which has j ust been extended for seven years, and
during the past seventeen years have spared no expense or effort
to secure improvements, and the Systems are now cove .3d by
MORE THAN TWENTY PATENTS.
The most important improvement which the Proprietois have
adopted and introduced is the
AUTOMATIC SYSTEM,
the introduction and operation of which involves so littla ex-
pense, compared to the benefit which it confers, that even small
communities can profitably adopt and maintain it.
The American System of
PIRE ALARM AND POLICE TELEGRAPHS
has met with the universal approbation and commendation of
the
People, Municipal Authorities,
AND THE
PRESS
throughout the UNITED STATES and CANADA.
NO EFFORT, TROUBLE OR EXPENSE
is spared by the Proprietors to obtain and secure ANY POS-
SIBLE IMPROVEMENT which shall increase the
EFFICIENCY,
EELIABILITY and
ECONOMY
of the system. They intend that, as far as possible, it shall be
ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!
The amount of property which has been saved from destruc-
tion, and the number of lives which have been preserved
through the general adoption of this system, throughout the
UNITED STATES and the DOMINION of CANADA,
CANNOT EASILY BE ESTIMATED,
but that, in every community where it has been introduced for
any considerable length of time, they have been enormous, thbee
CAN BE NO QUESTION.
The cooperation of TELEGRAPHERS in securing its in-
troduction into their localities is cordially invited, and
Iheir efforts will be duly appreciated and
compensated.
Any information desired in regard to the above
system will be cheerfully and promptly furnished
upon application at the office.
A pamphlet, setting forth more fully its advantages and
superiority, has been printed, and will be supplied to Municipal
Authorities and others interested in Fire Alarm and Police Tele-
graphy, upon application as above.
c
HARLES T. CHESTER,
104: Centre Street,
NEW YORK,
TELEGRAPH ENGINEER,
AND MANUFACTURER OF
INSTRUMENTS,
BATTERIES,
AND EVERY DESCRIPTION OF
TELEGRAPH SUPPLIES.
BUNNELL'S PATENT REPEATER.
These instruments are now made in two different styles, at
$120 and $135 a set, consisting of two Relays, two Sounders, two
Keys and Governor.
JONES' LOCK SWITCH-BOARD,
a most compact ana reliable Switch, forming a clean spring-
locked connection between any number of wires, occupying for
each different connection only one square inch of space, and
though made of the largest size, not subject to the warp and
-ontraction of wood-work.
EXCLUSIVE AGENTS OF
A. G. DAY'S
KERITE,
OB
COMPOUND RUBBER COVERED WIRE
SUBTERRANEAN & MKlkl WIRES,
OF THE
HIGHEST INSULATION.
Wearenow prepared to furnish, after an experience of three
years, an Insulated Wire which can be buried in the earth or
exposed to rain and sun, or to the vapor of acids, without injury.
Professor Silliman, who has exposed it to the most destructi\e
agencies, finds that it remains uninjured in an atmosphere of
ozone, which would destroy gutta-percha in a few hours. It
exceeds glass or any other known substance as a non-conductor
We have made special arrangements to furnish this articl«
for office purposes at a reduced rate.
ALSO, TO FURNISH
IRON CLAD CABLES,
of the usual size, with KERITE COVER, believing that it will
exceed, in insulation for submarine purposes, ANYTHING
HITHERTO MANUFACTURED.
We shall be happy to furnish estimates for any amount and
size of cable, which will be found to compete with any other
construction, both in quality and price.
We manufacture the Genuine ELECTROPOION BATTERY,
with Patent Platina Connection, introduced by us eight years
since; also, THE ALPHABETICAL OR DIAL TELEGRAPH,
now extensively used in this and other cities for private lines,
being easily and quickly learned by any one.
We offer for sale, among other novelties, a SOUNDER that
will w >rk practically with a single Daniell cell, a BATTERY
that does not require to be taken down but once a year, and the
very bent MAIN LINE SOUNDERS made
Our CATALOGUE, embraoing a large amount of new matter
and description, Is now ready for distribution.
January 17, 1814.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
T3R00KS' PATENT TELEGRAPH
INSULATOR WORKS,
AND AGENCY FOB THE SALE OP
Siemens' Universal Galvanometer,
Resistance Coils, Submarine Cables,
AND EVERY VARIETY OP
Electro-Metrical Apparatus Manufactured by Siemens Bros.
DAVID BROOKS, Proprietor,
22 South Twenty-first Street, PHILADELPHIA.
THE PATENT INSULATOR.
This invention was first introduced into public use in 1867,
and now hundreds, without exception, attest its perfection as an
Insulator ; also its economy over all others when maintenance is
Included with first cost.
Siemens' Universal Galvanometer,
This instrument for the measurement of ordinary resistances,
such as relays, sounders, conductivity of line wires, insulation,
&c, stands unrivalled for simplicity and correctness, and is now
the standard instrument for such work in all countries.
Siemens' Submarine Cables, Gables for River Cross-
ings of every description,
AND
Insulated Conductors.
These Cables are unexcelled in construction, arid can be pro-
cured in less time and at about half the cost of those manufac-
tured in this country.
A SUPERIOR PRINTING TELEGRAPH
INSTRUMENT,
FOR PEIYATE AND SHORT LINES.
Awarded the First Premium— Silver Medal—over all others at
Cincinnati Industrial Exposition, 1872.
The undersigned is now prepared to supply the improved and
superior
PRINTING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
manufactured under the patent of He. J. E. SgLDEN. This
instrument has already been extensively introduced, and has
given complete satisfaction to all who have adopted and used it.
It is simple, reliable, and not liable to get out of order; can be
operated by any person of ordinary intelligence after a few
minutes' instruction and practice.
PRIVATE LINES
constructed in the best and most substantial manner, and on
reasonable terms.
Favorable arrangements will be made with line constructors,
telegraph employes, &c„ for the introduction of the Printer.
For further particulars, terms, &c, apply to
MERCHANTS' MANUFACTURING: AND
CONSTRUCTION 00.
S. J. BUEEELL, Superintendent,
No. 60 BEOAD STREET (Rooms 12, 13 & 14).
P. O. BOX 496.
A ]
MERICAN COMPOUND
TELEGRAPH LINE WIRE.
COPPER FOR CONDUCTIVITY.
STEEL FOR STRENGTH.
The superiority of the COMPOUND TELEGEAPH WIRE,
oompared with iron, consists in its lightness, reducing by over
fifty per cent, the number of poles and insulators required.
Relative tensile stbenoth, homogeneity and elasticity — de-
creasing the liability to breakage from cold weather, sleet, etc.
Conductivity— insuring great improvement in the working of
lines in any condition of the weather.
And in its durability, which greatly exceeds that of the best
galvanized iron wire.
Altogether resulting in a vory great reduction in the cost of
maintaining and working telegraph lines, while, at the same
time. Insuring
EFFICIENCY AND RELIABILITY.
Address —
American Compound Tftle^ray-b Wire Co.,
ALANSON GARY, Treasurer,
,V«. 234 West 29th St..
New Torh.
MAGNETO-ELECTRIC ALPHABETICAL
DIAL TELEGRAPH,
FOB
RAILROADS, GAS COMPANIES AND PRIVATE BUSI-
NESS PURPOSES GENERALLY.
MANUFACTURED by
HOWARD WATCH AND CLOCK CO.
E. HOWARD, & CO., Proprietors.
I. HAMBLET, Electrician.
OFFICES:
114 TMEMONT STMEET, BOSTON, Mass.
IS MAIDEN LANE, NEW YORK.
This Instrument is offered to the public as the oldest, most
rapid, and best.
MAGNETO-DIAL TELEGRAPH
in the world.
It has already been extensively adopted and has invariably
given entire satisfaction.
They also manufacture and put up
THE ELECTRO-MAGNETIC WATCH CLOCK,
which is the best watchman's time recorder in the world. Also,
ELECTRIC AND CONTROLLED CLOCKS
of all kinds,
CHRONOGRAPHS,
ASTRONOMICAL CLOCKS,
REGULATORS,
ETC., ETC.,
OF ALL KINDS.
All instruments and work from this establishment guaranteed
to give satisfaction.
L. POPE & CO.,
' MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS IN
iELEOR&PH INSTRUMENTS AND SUPPUES
EVERY DESCRIPTION,
38 VESEY STREET, New York.
NEW AND SUPERIOR PATTERNS OF
STANDARD TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS.
These Instruments are elegantly designed, thoroughly well
finished, and scientifically adapted to the service required.
RELAYS,
SOUNDERS,
REGISTERS and
KEYS.
In addition to these we furnish all descriptions of tble-
OBAFH MATERIAL AND SUPPLIES, Such as
BATTERIES, INSULATED WIRES, CHEMICALS
of all kinds, etc., etc.
THE NONPAREIL TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT,
Fcr Amateurs and Learners, and Short Lines.
globe ijio-iiTxsrinsrca- -a.e,r.bstbe,s.
Bradley's Apparatus for Electrical Measurement.
We are the Agents for the sale of this new and very superior
Instrument for Electrical Measurement.
BRADLEY'S BOX RELAYS AND SOUNDERS.
BRADLEY'S NAKED WIRE HELICES AND MAGNET
SPOOLS,
of any desired size and resistance, will be supplied upon orders
through us, at the Manufacturer's lowest prices.
Also, Agents for
II0CHHAU3EN'S SUPERIOR LOW PRICED TELEGRAPH
INSTRUMENTS.
Sole Agents for the
EAGLES METALLIC GALVANIC liATTERY.
The demand for this Battery is rapidly increasing, and it Is
conceded by all who have used It to be the Best "/<<< mott Econo-
mical Batterj , for telegraphic and other purpo ies, offered to the
public.
Descriptive Circulars and Price List forwarded upon applica-
tion to
F. L. POPE & CO.,
(P. O. Box 5503.)
38 VESEY ST11EET.
GEO. B. HICKS, (late) Pres't. JOHN E. CARY, Vice-Pres't.
GEO. W. STOCKLY, Sea'y and Treas'r.
TELEGRAPH SUPPLY
AND
MANUFACTURING COMPANY,
CLEVELAND, O.,
MANUFACTURERS OF
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
OF EVERY DESCRIPTION.
Agents and Manufacturers for
THE AMERICAN FIRE ALARM,
GAMEWELL & CO., N. Y.
Specialties made of
HICKS' REPEATERS, HICKS' RELAYS,
SURE-CONTACT KEY, "NOVELTY" SOUNDER,
Cheap Instruments for Learners, Amateurs, &c,
NEW GRAVITY BATTERY,
Hotel and Private House Electric Annunciators,
BURGLAR AND FIRE ALARMS,
Dial and Printing Instruments for Private Telegraph Lines,
CALL BELLS AND ALARM BELLS of every style.
"Batteries, Chemicals, Wire, T/isulators,
Supplies , &c., <£c.
MODELS and LIGHT MACHINERY made to order.
FJftlOE LIST.
Hicks 1 Repeaters (1873.) $100.00
Hicks' Relays from $12.00 to 18.00
Main Line Sounders " 12.00" 19.00
Local Sounders " 3.50" 8.00
Keys " 3.00" 6.50
Learners' Outfits {complete) " 7.50" 10.00
Dial and Printing Instruments " 75.00 " 225.00
Annunciators, per room " 7.00" 12.00
Burglar Alarms.... " 50.00 " 200.00
Send for Circulars.
GEO. W. STOCKLY,
Sec'y and Treas.,
No. 4 LEASEE BUILDING,
CLEVELAND, O.
R. L. BRADLEY,
Uo. 9 Exchange PHace,
JERSEY CITY, N. J.,
Has discontinued the manufacture of Telegraph Instruments, and
' is now giving special attention to the manufacture of his
UNIVERSAL APPARATUS
FOB
lectrig Measurement,
Which consists of his Tangent Galvanometer and his Hhoostat as
they have heen recently improved, which, taken separately or
unitedly, constitute a means lor correctly determining the resist-
ance of all conductors of electricity ; the resistance and insulation
of telegraph wires; the location of breaks, faults, crosses, <%c. ; the
relative specific resistance and conductivity of metals and other
conducting materials; the resistance and electro -motive force of
batteries ; as well as the strength, quantity, or electro-chemical
equivalence of all currents of dluamie electricity. The capacities
of all other instruments for similar purposes combined, arc em-
braced in this one. Its measurements arc accurate and absolute,
and are easily read off in British Association units, without the
necessity of arithmetical calculations. It. packs in a caso seven
inches deep and nine inches diameter, with a handled strap, con-
venient for safe transportation. Considering the wide range of its
capacity, it is cheaper than any other instruments.
Price of apparatus complete, is $'2(10 to $280, according to stylo,
Sec. Price, Tangent Oalvanomoters, $40 to $60.
Descriptive pamphlets may bo had on application.
He also pays special attention to the manufacture of his
CELEBRATED HELICES
WHICH ARE OF
Naked Copper Wire,
Bo wound that the convolutions are soparated from each oilier by
a regular and uniform space of the I 800th of an Inch, the layers
separated bythin paper, in Helices of sill Insulated wive, the
pace occupied by the silh is the i IfiOth to the I 800th of on ln< h;
therefore a i pool made < f o given ten jtl 6 i ii oi nal ed
will ho smaller and will contain manj tnoi revolutions around
the core than one ol i ill ii i v. iv ■ and \\ ill mi I e a propos-
tlonably stronger magnet, while the rei ii tance « ill be the same.
bo Helices are now ol d for the use o) manufaeturersoj
Xelegraphlo and Electrical apparatus, and orders will bu flJt*d
promptly and on reasonable terms.
VI
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[January 17, 1814
*HE PERFECT BATTERY.
CLEANLINESS. CONSTANCY. ECONOMY.
LOOKAVOOD BATTEET,
PATENTED APRIL 8, 1873,
L, G. TILLOTSON & 00., Sole Agents,
No. 8 Dry Street, N. Y.
This Battery has been in extended practical use for more than
a year, and is now acknowledged by leading' Electricians
in this country and Europe to be
PAK SUPERIOR TO ALL OTHERS
for telegraphic purpisis, or closed circuits of any description.
This Battery received the FIRST PREMIUM over
all competitors for
POWER, DURABILITY AND ECONOMY
^T THE
CINCINNATI INDUSTRIAL EXPOSITION OF 1873;
The size shown in the cut (No. 2), when charged with 5 lbs.
sulphate of copper per cell, is capable of working two or three
main circuits of average length for MORE THAN ONE YEAR,
without any attention whatever. The copper abd zinc solu-
tions are perfectly separated, and there is
NO LOCAL ACTION,
and the circuit is absolutely uniform at all times. It is
equally well adapted for a
LOCAL BATTERY,
or for any purpose requiring a uniform, powerful and constant
current.
The number '2 size (price $2,501 is now ready for sale Other
styles are In preparation, and will soon be put, ou the market.
Send for Circular .
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.
8 Dey Street, New York,
S O T_i El AGENTS.
w
New York, Oct., 1873.
We have appointed Mossrs. L. G. Tillotson & Co. Sole Agents
for the sale ot the Lockwood Battery.
LOCKWOOD BATTERY CO.
W. H. Sawyer, Secretary.
"SAVE THE PIECES."
This HOLDER is intended to save the last half or third of the
pencil.
DIRECTIONS.
When the pencil becomes too short to write with comfortably,
shave down the butt and screw into th9 Holder. The screw
makes its own thread, and will hold the pencil perfectly firm.
Price, 25 cents each.
Sent by mail on receipt of price.
Price per doz., $1.80.
Agents for towns, and counties wanted.
GEO. H. BLISS & CO., Gen'l Agents,
41 Third ave., Chicago, 111.
ATTS & COMPANY,
47 Holliday Street,
BALTIMORE,
MANUFACTURERS OP
ELECTRICAL AND TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
AND
Material of Every Description,
RELAYS, KEYS, SQUNBERS, COMBINATION SETS, k, fc.
Nickel Plated Goods a Specialty.
A VERT SUPERIOR MAIN LINE SOUNDER,
ENTIRELY NEW.
SOLE MANUFACTURERS OF THE
PATENT CIRCUIT-CLOSER KEY,
Which has met with marked success.
Price, $5.50 plain ; $7 nickel plated.
The following is from a competent judge, written after some
weeks' trial.
145 Broadway, New York, 1
Sept. 22d, 1873. 5
Dear Sir— Your circuit-closing attachment on the key, left
with me for trial, is pronounced by all who have used it a de-
cided and much needed improvement on the common form.
. Respectfully,
A. S. Brown,
The Best Form of Battery Insulator Offered.
SIMPLE AND PERFECT.
Made of porcelain, handsome in appearance Occcnpies little
more space than the cell it supports. Each cell of battery com-
pletely isolated. Leakage is reduced to the minimum by the
use of it.
General Superintendent "Van Horn, Southern Division W. U.
Tel. Co., writes of it :
"We have now in use a thousand or fifteen hundred of your
battery insulators, and expect to order many more before the
close of the year.
We have never used any battery insulator that equals it in
any respect. In fact, it appears to be as near perfect as we can
reasonably expect, in a contrivance for that purpose."
Price 40 Cents.
We offer a very excellent article of Galvanized Wire, superior
to any in the market. The linemen on Baltimore and Ohio R.
R. say they have never seen its equal for toughness and
flexibility.
Special attention given to building.
Estimates given for any amount of material for telegraph
construction or extension.
SWITCHES, GALVANOMETERS, RESISTANCE COILS,
&c, to order.
Designs for Switch Boards for special service furnished.
SCOTT'S PATENT ANNUNCIATOR,
for Hotels and Residences.
"pARTRICK, BUNNELL & CO.'S
CHAMPION LEARNERS
AND
SHORT LINE TELEGRAPH APPARATUS,
A GREAT IMPROVEMENT
over all Instruments of the kind ever offered for this purpose,
consisting of a
No. 1 SOUNDER AND KEY COMBINATION SET,
AN EXCELLENT BOOK OF PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION IN
TELEGRAPHY,
OFFICE WIRE, CHEMICALS, etc.,
making a complete arrangement for one office.
The Instruments are full sized, complete in every respect. The
Battery is a full sized first class Callaud cell, and the entire outfit
has nnthing a bout, it which in any ivay resembles the many wretched
affairs which have been extensivcty sold as Learners' Apparatus.
Great numbers of our "Champion Instruments" are in use
upon short private lines, and upon City wires of Telegraph
Companies, where they are giving the greatest satisfaction, on
account of their very substantial make and excellent working
qualities.
We guarantee them to be in every respect better than any form of
Learners' Apparatus or Short Line Instruments ever offered to the
public.
Price of Apparatus, complete, with Book of Instructions,
Battery, Wire, and all necessary materials for one complete office
outfit, ready for shipment, sent C. O. D., $10— or, if money order
sent for the amount, $9.50. The latter plan will additionally save
the purchaser the express charges for the return of money.
Price of Single Instrument, good for one mile or less, with-
out Battery..... $8 50
Ornamental style ditto, with rubber covered coils, without
Battery 10 00
Single Instrument, good tor working a line from one to
twelve miles 9 50
Ditto, ornamental, with rubber covered coils 11 00
Battery, per cell 1 50
PAETRI0K, BUNNELL & CO.,
38 SOUTH FOURTH ST., PHILADELPHIA,
MANUFACTURERS OF
TELEGRAPH & ELECTRICAL INSTEUMENTS
and Supplies of every description.
Vol. X.
New York, Saturday, January 24, 187 J^.
Whole No. S9S
i^HAELES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
^ 109 COURT STREET, BOSTON, MASS.,
MANUFACTURER OF
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
OF ALL KINDS,
GALVANIC BATTERIES,
JONES' PATENT LOCK SWITCH,
PATENT ELECTRIC GrONG-8,
PEINTIN0 TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS..
ALSO, ON HAND AND FOR SALE,
D. W. PUTT & CO.'S Mechanical Telegraph
Instruments,
■"Pope's Modern Practice of the Electric Telegraph,"
AND A FULL ASSORTMENT OF
TELEGRAPH MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES,
AT THE LOWEST PRICES.
/CANADIAN TELEGRAPH SUPPLY
MANUFACTURING COMPANY,
MANUFACTURERS OF
All kinds of Electrical Instruments
AND
TELEGRAPH SUPPLIES.
All orders promptly filled, at reasonable prices.
Office and Factory,
352 and 354 KING STREET, WEST,
Toronto, Ont.
^OVELTY!
A SOUNDER of Entirely New Uonstruction,
which gives with the usual amount of battery a very heavy and
clear sound.
Size for Regular Offices $5 00
Small Size 3 50
Learners' Outfits, with small size Sounder, Key,
Battery, Chemicals, Wire, Instruction Book, &c,
all complete 7 50
Send for Circular.
TELEGEAPH SUPPLY AND MT'G 00.,
J^To. 4 Leader Building,
CLEVELAND, O.
/CHARLES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
^^ (ESTABLISHED 1856,)
109 Court Street, Boston,
has for sale the various kinds of Office and Magnet Wires, in-
cluding Cotton Covered, Silk, Gutta Percha, Painted, Fancy, and
DAY'S KERITE COVERED WIRE.
COVERED WIRES,
Made from Lake Superior Copper, warranted strictly
pure, covered with Hemp, Flax, Linen, Cotton, Silk or other
material, for Telegraph Instruments, Electro-Magnetic Machines,
Philosophical Apparatus, and all kinds of Electrical Purposes.
Also, PLAIN, WOVEN, ENAMELLED, SHELLACED,
PARAFFINED, and all kinds of
TELEGEAPH OFFICE WIKES.
Also, Telegraph Switch Cords,
many Patterns, Plaiu, Woven and Braided. Parties being partial
to any particular kind need only enclose a small specimen in a
letter and it can be imitated in every particular.
CONDUCTING CORDS, POLE CORDS, TINSEL.
C. THOMPSON,
(Successor to Josiah B. Thompson,)
29 Worth 20th St., Thila., Ta.
JOSEPH MOORE & SONS,
{Established 1820,)
535 & 537 CHINA STREET^
(Below Green St.,) PHILADELPHIA, Pa.,
MANUFACTURERS OF
INSULATED WIRES.
OFFICE WIRE— Plain, Braided, Prepared, &c.
INSTRUMENT WIRE— Cotton and Silk Covered, &c.
FLEXIBLE CORDS, all kinds, &c, &c.
We warrant all Wire to be of the highest conductivity, tested
by our Galvanometer, which compares with the tests of the
highest authority in this country.
R
EDUCTION OP PRICES.
POPULAR, EXCELLENT and ECONOMICAL.
THE NONPAREIL
TELEGRAPH APPARATUS,
For AMATEUES, STUDENTS and SH0ET LINES.
Since tho introduction of this Pioneer Low Priced Telegraph In-
strument, a little over a year and a half since, nearly 2,000
have been sold, and they are constantly more and more sought
after.
Hereafter we shall furnish them at tho following popular rates:
Single Instruments, including Three Cells Battery, Con-
necting Wire, Chemicals and Instruction Book $0 50
Two sets of Instruments, etc 12 00
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
r. l. pope & co.,
[P. O. Box 5503.] . 38 Vesejf Street, N. T.
T
ELEGRAPH POLES.
Parties who are in want of good
CEDAR TELEGRAPH POLES,
can obtain them on favorable termB, and have them delivered
at any Lake Port between Oswego and Chicago, on the
opening of Navigation, by applying to
A. A. COLBY,
P. O. Box 1,376. TORONTO, ONTARIO,
CANADA.
\ NEW GALVANIC BATTERY.
Durability, Efficiency, and Economy of Expense
and Labor at last Secured.
THE EAGLES METALLIC BATTEEY.
PATENT APPLIED FOR.
The undersigned having secured the exclusive Agency for the
manufacture and sale of the
EAGLES METALLIC BATTERY,
now offer them to the public as the best Battery for Telegraphic
and other purposes yet devised.
The Battery cell is made of lead, and forms one pole of the
battery. Sulphate of copper is the only chemical required to be
used.
These Batteries have been fully tested during the last year,
although only recently offered for sale, and have proved to be
superior to any other as regards efficiency, economy and dura-
bility. When once set up they require no attention for from
four to six months, according to the service required of them.
Two sizes are made at present, but others will soon be ready.
No. 1 is a large square cell, and can be used as a local or for
running motors. Price, $2.25.
On Locals, one No. 1 cell is used in place of two Daniells, at a
saving of nearly one half in cost.
No. 2 is a round cell, designed for main line. Price, $2.
Descriptive circulars and price list forwarded upon applica-
tion to
F. L. POPE & CO.,
(P. O. Box 5503.
38 VESET STMEET, N. Y.
CALLAUD BATTERIES
KEPT ON HAND, AND ORDERS FILLED BY
W. MITCHELL MCALLISTER,
728 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia,
0HAELES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
109 Court Street, Boston,
AND BY THE
WESTEEN ELE0TEI0 MANUFAOTUEING 00.,
AGENTS FOR THE UNITED STATES,
220 East Kinzie Street, Chicago, III.
WALLACE & SONS,
MANUFACTURERS OP
BRASS, COPPER & GERMAN SILVER WIRE.
Also, BRASS, COPPER and GERMAN SILVER,
in the Roll and Sheet.
.We mako the manufacture of Electric Wire a specialty —
especially the finer sizos of Copper for conduction, and German
Silvor for resistance purposes — guaranteeing the conductivity of
tho same in every instance to be superior to that of any other
manufacturer in the market.
WAREHOUSE,
89 Chamber Street, IV. Y.
MANUFACTORY,
Aiisoiiiit, Conn.
11
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[January 24, 1874.
A LEXANDER L. HAYES,
Late Assistant Examiner of Electrical and Telegraphic Apparatus,
U. S. Patent Office),
SOLICITOR OF PATENTS,
No. 17 PEMBEBTON SQUABE,
(Boom 12,)
BOSTON, MASS.
s
ECURITY MESSAGE HOOK.
PATENT APPLIED FOP..
The damage from the loss of a single message 'will equip a line
many times with our new Hook, which gives great security.
Price 30 cents each.
*' per dozen $3.00.
Liberal terms to the trade.
GEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
41 Third Avenue, Chicago, 111.,
General Agents.
s
ECOND-HAND RELAYS.
A large lot of well polished and good working Relays for sale
Very cheap ; also, several sets of
HICKS REPEATE R8,
ill perfect order, at a nominal price.
CEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
41 THIRD AVE., Chicago, 111.
TJUSSELLS' AMERICAN
** STEAM PRINTING HOUSE.
W, 19, 21, 23 ROSE STEEET, near FRAEKFORT,
NEW YORK,
EXECUTES ALL DESCRIPTIONS OF
BOOK, JOB AND COMMERCIAL PEIKTIEG.
TELE G RAP E PRINTING A SPECIALTY.
rpHOS. CHALMERS' SONS,
- MANUFACTURERS OP
ELECTRIC ANNUNCIATORS,
FOR
HOTELS, DWELLINGS, STEAMSHIPS,:YACHTS,
etc., etc.,
AND ALL KINDS OF
ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS,
BELLS, BATTERIES, WIRE, etc.,
BURGLAR ALARMS, FIRE ALARMS,
79 Yd RICK STREET, JVEW YORK.
A HAND-BOOK OF PRACTICAL TELE-
GRAPHY.
By R. S. CULLEY,
ENGINEER TO THE
ELECTRIC AND INTERNATIONAL
TELEGRAPH COMPANY.
Published with the sanction oi the Chairman and Directors of
the Electrio and International Telegraph Company, and adopted
by the Department of Telegraphs for India.
F0T7ETH EDITION,
REVISED AND ENLARGED.
vol. 8 vo, cloth $5 00. •
Copies sent free by mail on recent of price.
My new Catalogue of American and Foreign Scientific»Books
eighty pages, 8vo, 6ent to any addiess on receipt of ten cents. '
D. VAN NOSTRA ND, Publisher,
23 MURRA Y STREET N. Y.
mE AMATEUR'S
TELEGRAPH
APPARATUS.
(Patented April 16th, 1872.)
This is a bona fide Telegraph Instrument, with a full sized
Trunnion Lever Key, with Friction Circuit Closer and a Pony
Sounder, both on same base.
The Battery used is Hill's Patent Gravity Battery, the most
constant and economical in use.
With each Instrument is furnished
ONE CUP OF BATTERY,
TWO YARDS OFFICE WIRE,
ONE PACKAGE BLUE VITRIOL,
ONE PACKAGE SULPHATE ZINC,
and a "Manual of the Telegraph," for the instruction of be-
ginners. This is a sufficient outfit for the student.
In operating a short line there will only be required, in
addition to the above, more cups of battery, according to the
length of line.
A COMPLETE OUTFIT FOR A TELEGRAPH OFFICE,
Seven Dollars and Fifty Cents.
Two Sets, complete $14 60
Sounder and Key only 6 60
" " with Cut-out and Lightning Arrester. .. 7 60
We will pay expressage on Amateur Outfits when price is
remitted in Advance.
GEO. H. BLISS & CO., ,
SOLE AGENTS,
41 THIRD ATENVE,
Chicago, HI.
SEND FOR CIRCVLAR.
OHAFFNER'S
TELEGRAPH MANUAL.
TO TELEGRAPHISTS.
I am now revising my " TELEGRAPH MANUAL," and desire
to make the work complete in its description of the present
state of
TELECRAPHIC SCIENCE AND ART.
There are some Six Hundred and Twenty-five Illustra-
tions in the Edition of 1859, and the present coming Edition will
contain at least One Thousand, descriptive of the latest
improvements.
At present it is my design to issue two Volumes, containing
about 600 pages each, separating the Historical from the Ope-
rative.
I will thank any one for information suitable for such a work.
Would like drawings and description of apparatuses.
Respectfully,
TAX, P. SHAFFNEE,
78 and 80 Broadway,
NEW YORK.
M
ODERN PRACTICE OF THE ELEC-
TRIC TELEGRAPH.
A HAND-B90K
FOR
ELECTRICIANS AND OPERATORS.
By FRANK L. POPE.
Seventh Edition, Revised and Enlarged by the addition of 40
pages of New Matter on
RECENT IMPROVEMENTS,
AND ,
FULLY ILLUSTRATED.
8vo, cloth, - - ■ - * $3.00
jggj- Copies sent free by mail on receipt of price.
My new Catalogue of American and Foreign Scientific Books
sent per mail, on receipt of ten cents.
D. VAN NOSTRAND, Publisher,
23 MURRAY STREET and 27 WARREN STREET. ,
rpHE BISHOP GUTTA PERCHA WORKS,
422, 424, 426 EAST 25th ST., N. Y.
S. BISHOP, Proprietor,
ONLY MANUFACTORY
OF
PURE GUTTA PERCHA GOODS
IN THE
UNITED STATES
■€§*=
Has also on hand, and makes to order,
SUBMARINE CABLES, OFFICE CABLES, AND INSULATED.
"WIRES OF EVERY VAPJETY,
FOB
TELEGRAPH. UNDERGROUSD AND ELECTRIC USE.
Fuse Wires, Leading and Connecting Wires for SUBMARINE
and MINING PURPOSES.
Also, a NEW COMPOUND (thoroughly tested) for underground
and out-door use.
Cotton, Linen, Silk and Fibre covered "Wires for
MAGNET AND OFFICE USE,
of any pattern or style.
OFFICE WIRES,
Cotton and Gutta Perchaco^red, with any number of conductor*
required.
Gutta Percha and Cotton covered Wires for HOTEL ANNUN-
CIATORS, ELECTRIC BELLS and BURGLAR ALARMS.
Has on hand and makes to order
SUBMARINE CABLES, INSULATED WIRES, for
TELEGRAPH AND ELECTRIO USE,
AND FOR
BLASTING AND MINING PURPOSES,
In every variety desired.
As an Insulation for Telegraph Cables and Electrio Conductors
Gotta Peboha has been universally adopted by all scientific anfi
practical Electricians and Manufacturers of Telegraph Cables and
Wires in this country and Europe, and has sustained, with in-
oreaslng superiority In the practical test of over twenty-five
years' general use.
The PROPRIETOR will guarantee, to all parties purchasing
SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH CABLES,
to make and deliver at his Factory any style of Cable. Insulated
with Gutta Percha, as low as they can impokt Cable of the same
style and quality, and in half the time required to import them.
CABLES OF ONE MILE OR LESS manufactured and de-
livered at one iveek's notice.
ORDERS RECEIVED AT THE FACTORY.
Messrs. L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
8 DEY STREET, NEW YORE,
have been appointed by me GENERAL AGENTS for the sale of
any Telegraph Cable or Wire manufactured at the Works in New
York, at Factory Prices, delivered In New York.
JOHN TH0ENLEY, 503 Chestnut St., Philadelphia,
has been appointed Agent for the sale of any and all goods manu-
factured by me, at Factory Prices, delivered in New York.
Any Goods manufactured (except Telegraph Goods) are for
sale in New York by
SARGENT & STUDLEY, 26 Park Place,
RUBBER CLOTHING CO., 363 Broadway,
D. H0DGMAN & CO., 27 Maiden Lane,
SHEPARD & DUDLEY, 150 William St.
Address all Communications to
S , BISHOP,
OFFICE AT FACTORY.
January 24, 1814.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
19
The Telegrapher
A JOURNAL OF
ELECTRICAL PROGRESS.
N.
- - - - - - PUBLIS UPR
J.
SATURDAY,
JANUARY 24, 1814.
VOL
X.
WHOLE No.
393.
Dedication of the New General Post-office,
London. *
The London newspapers of the 2d instant coutain
very full reports of the dedication of the new General
Post-office, which occurred on New Tear's night, and
which seems to have been quite a brilliant affair. The
following is condensed from the report published in
the London Times:
"Last evening this edifice, erected in St. Martiu's-le-
Grand, immediately in front of the old General Post-
office, and which has been devised and constructed with
a careful regard to the large and still growing wants of
postal communication, as understood in the present
day, and especially telegraphic communication, may
be said to have been dedicated to the public service.
The ceremony of last night assumedHhe modest form
of a conversazione in commemoration of the reopening
of the Post-office Library, and a large and influential
company, some hundreds in number, many of whom
were ladies, had been invited to witness it, the new
Postmaster General, Mr. Lyon Plavfair, M. P., taking
the leading part, as became his official position, and
the central, northeast, and southeast galleries of the
building having been thrown open for their accommo-
dation. All the heads of departments in the General
Post-office were also present, and vied with each other
in consulting the comfort and convenience of the audi-
ence.
In the southwest gallery, which was brilliantly
lighted and tastefully decorated with banners lent for
the occasion by many of the civic companies, there
was a museum of early telegraphic instruments and
appliances. The mode of transmitting news to and
receiving it from nineteen large towns simultaneously
was also shown there. The system of the Exchange
Telegraph Company, by means of which identical in-
formation as to the prices of stocks, shares, etc., is
sent to the offices of stock brokers, was likewise ex-
hibited. There was a direct communication during
the evening between this gallery and the postal tele-
graph offices in Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Jersey,
Pe-iZiiuce, Manchester, Southampton, and several Lon-
don stations. In the same gallery, too, communica-
tion by means of the Hughes type printing instrument
was established between London and Southampton,
and messages printed in Koman type were sent simul-
taneously in opposite directions on one wire, through
the instrumentality of Mr. Stearns' invention. The
chronofer, by means of which Greenwich time is trans-
mitted simultaneously to the principal towns in the
kingdom, was also exemplified there. In the north-
west gallery the process of 'testing for faults 'was
shown. There was direct communication during the
evening between this gallery and Australia, India,
Teheran, America, St. Petersburg, Paris and Berlin.
On tables, microscopes, stereoscopes, graphoscopes and
electrical apparatus of various kinds were exhibited,
as was also the working of the pneumatic tubes which
connect the Central Telegraph Station with the princi-
pal offices for the collection and delivery of messages
in the metropolis.
A raised dais had been erected in the central gallery,
and from it, after the company had assembled, Mr.
Lyon Playfair opened the proceedings by delivering an
address. He said: '"We are met to-night in the new
great telegraphic room which, in a few days, will be the
active centre of the whole kingdom for sending out
with the speed of lightning aud by the same agency
the thoughts of people who require immediate inter-
communication. All our improvements of postal com-
munication become dwarfed by this mighty invention.
Most of you are much more familiar with postal his-
tory than myself, but still let us recall to our memory
one or two facts, which may serve to impress us with
our present position. You all recollect that post mes-
sengers arose out of State necessities, and that their
survivals are still seen in the Queen's messengers of
the present day. They were originally men who trav-
elled on foot or on horse with State despatches, but
did nothing for the service of the general public. As
they grew more numerous they required a supervisor,
who was the ancestor of the Postmaster General. The
Universities were among the first bodies who estab-
lished running postmen of their own to carry the com-
munications of professors and students. Some towns,
also, had their own separate postmen. The far north
City of Aberdeen, during the reign of Elizabeth, had
the bravery to appoint a postman with a blue cloth
dress, emblazoned with the city arms, to go leisurely
up to London with the letters of the enterprising Aber-
denians, and to bring back those addressed to them.
Intercommunication with Scotland was very imperfect
until the Scotch King James VI sat upon the English
throne as James I. Recollect how he learnt the death
of Elizabeth, and the difference between his time and
our own will be very apparent. It is related that Rob-
ert Carey, having received a ring taken off the Queen's
finger when she died, at three o'clock on Thursday morn-
ing, galloped off to Edinburgh, which he reached in the
middle of the Saturday night. That was a wonderful
feat in those days ; but now such a message, put into
the bands of Mr.Scudamore, would find its way to Edin-
burgh in less time than Carey could have saddled his
first horse. The electric agency which is to be used in
this room for sending messages has been known since
the world began. Every flash of lightning in the sky
revealed its existence. When the savage African rubs
his furkaron electric sparks appear, but they light up
an eye as intellectually dull as the eye of an ox, and
no science is developed from such untutored observa-
tions. The clever wife of an Italian physician was the
first who noticed a fact which led to our possession of
electricity in quantity sufficient for our present pur-
poses. Madame Galvani was the daughter of the cele-
brated physician, Galeazzi, and she observed that frogs'
legs became convulsed under electrical excitement — the
popular version being while she was making soup for
her husband, but the truer version, that they were con-
vulsed while near an electric machine. Out of her
acute observation her husband ultimately discovered
the galvanic battery and laid the foundation for tele-
graphy. But great discoveries do not startle an aston-
ished world by a sudden apparition. It is only in
mythology that Minerva, full grown and panoplied in
complete armor, starts out of the brain of Jupiter.
Science and its practical applications are of slow
growth; the seed being put in favorable ground the
young plant appears after a time, but requires much
care before it comes to maturity. And so Galvani's
discovery, supplemented by many intermediate discov-
eries, required nearly a ceutury to mature it before
my friend Sir Charles Wheatstoue, whose presence we
expect to-night, gave us that form of telegraph which
now bridges over space and time from this office to the
whole kingdom.
This is not the occasion to give you a scientific lec-
ture, but I would ask you to remember how slowly
this Post-office has received its wonderful organization.
The inventive genius of Wheatstoue, and the bold con-
ceptions of Rowland Hill have aided us powerfully to
attain our present position, but both of these men,
whose friendship I am proud to claim, would tell you
that after all they were mainly exponents of a knowl-
edge which had descended to them by inheritance
from their forefathers. Wheatstone could not have
achieved his triumphs if Oersted, and Faraday, and
many other philosophers had not largely developed
the original discovery of Galvani. Rowland Hill could
have done uothiug in introducing or in carrying into
effect the peuny post, had there not been large develop-
ments in the means of intercommunication, by good
roads, coaches and railways. Withering, by his postal
organization of 1635; Palmer's mail coach system of
1784 ; Dockwra, by his London penny post, and
Stephenson by his railways, were as much the postal
progenitors of Rowland Hill as Galvani, Oersted aud
Faraday were the scientific forerunners of "Wheat-
stone.
# % # * % #
In this great establishment there are many men of
thoughtful minds who desire to benefit by the accumu-
lated intelligence of those who have preceded them.
They can only acquire this through books. There are
few men worked more hardly than our officers ; but
the nature of the service gives iutervals of leisure
without which the work could not be performed. In
those intervals access to a library aud a reading room
is of great importance to them, and a lending library
to the numerous clerks, both male and female, of this
office, offers resources which cannot be too highly
valued, either intellectually or morally. I do not in-
tend to weary you with empty platitudes as to the
benefits of knowledge. Our work here is of the most
varied character. Our postal system, our packet ser-
vice, our telegraphs, our money order office, and our
savings banks — all involve even technical knowledge of
geography, science and political economy, which would
give ample scope to those who wish to carry on their
duties, not by a mere blind empiricism, but with that
intellectual understanding which distinguishes man
from a mere machine in activity. But we do not desire
to confine readers to mere technical books bear'mg on
their occupations. You have the glorious records and
learning of antiquity, the literature of more modern
times, and the recreative books which amuse us well as
instruct. The library is created by yourselves and
managed by yourselves, so that it will be adapted for
your several needs and desires. 1 am only here among
you to-night by your own favor to wish you continued
prosperity in an undertaking which gets fresh life by the
enlarged accommodation afforded to it in a new build-
ing. I offer to it no patronage, for that would be un-
worthy of its object and of the committee who manage
it ; but I ask you to accept my warmest wishes for the
prosperity of the new reading room and library, and to
assure you that, while I remain in office the Committee
of Management will always find in me a warm friend.'
The address of the Postmaster General throughout
was listened to with marked attention, and at its
conclusion the company signified their interest and ap-
proval by an enthusiastic cheer.
The company then, on the invitation of the Post-
master General, and accompanied by Mr. Scudamore,
C. B., and other of the principal officers of the depart-
ment, made a tour of the several galleries, inspecting
the various objects of interest, and had opportunities
of witnessing the telegraphic arrangements and opera-
tions. The occasion was rendered still more agreeable
by a choice selection of vocal and instrumental music.
Altogether, the occasion was replete with interest, and
the company lingered in the building until far towards
midnight."
*-»-*
[From the Telegraphic Journal.]
Method of Determining the Actual Resistance of
Old Telegraph Line Wires.
To the Editor of the Telegraphic Journal.
Sir — In your journal of the 15th inst. I am accused,
by J. W. Hagers, Inspector of the Government Tele-
graphs in the Netherlands, of reproducing a formula of
his and publishing it as my own.
The article, " Method of Determiuining the Actual
Resistance of Old Telegraph Line Wires," published in
your journal of 15th May, is not written by me, nor is
my name mentioned in connection with the article.
I am referred in Mr. Hager's note to an article by Mr.
Ayrton, in the journal of the 1st inst. Mr. Ayrton's
note had escaped my notice until now.
I desire to say to Mr. Ayrton that the object of my
article on " Economical Line Construction," was to
show the advantages of perfect insulation, or insulation
that is not affected by dampness. In this case a heavy
and expensive conducting wire is not essential.
My business is the manufacture of insulators. I
guarantee their performance. One of these guarantees
is that they shall not be affected by rain or damp
weather. I undertake to insulate a wire weighing,
say two hundred pounds per mile, and thereby make
the capacity of that wire equal to another wire weigh-
ing four hundred pounds per mile ; this latter wire
being insulated with common insulators— such, for
instance, as are used in the British East Indies, the
Netherlands, or England. I do it and maintain this
degree of insulation for a moderate charge — less than
is usually expended for such purposes, asking no pay
unless these conditions are fulfilled.
To Mr. Ayrton I beg to say I have not had the good
fortune to read " Instructions for Testing Overland
Lines," compiled by Mr. Sch wendler, nor " The Instruc-
tions for Testing Telegraph Lines, and the Technical
Arrangements in Offices." I have no doubt that I
would be interested and profited by doing so.
I and others in this country have applied Mr.
Schwendler's formula to correct the apparent or ob-
served resistance of old telegraph lines. I refer to the
formula as published by Clark and Sabine. "We have
been unsuccessful, however, in getting at anything
like an approximation to its actual resistance for these
reasons : (1.) The resistance of the insulators is seldom
if ever uniform for the entire length of line, but con-
stantly changing. (2.) Conductivity of old wires is
more reduced by bad joints than by loss of actual
weight of metal. The resistance of defective joints is
reduced by dampness, in some instances sufficient to
make a difference in the apparent resistance of the wire
of more than one hundred per cent.
In measuring the resistance of old wires to determine
the loss in conductivity from use and exposure, it is
perfectly useless to attempt it except in clear or cold
weather. In one instance the resistance of an old wire
reinsulated was reduced over three hundred per cent,
by rain, as compared to a measurement in clear weather.
Iu dry weather in this country the resistance of the
insulators is too great to enter into or affect the result.
It is beyond the scope or range of the Siemeus's uni-
versal galvanometer. It is so in rain where my insu-
lation is used. Rain or dampness does not affect this
insulation. We can then observe and realize the effect
of dampness upon the bad joints.
My knowledge of the telegraphs in the British East
Indies is derived chiefly from the London journals. If
there is improvement I am glad to hear of it. I have,
in my business of reinsulating telegraph lines, distribu-
ted over thirty of Siemeus's universal galvanometers,
nearly all of them to railway companies. In the inaun-
facture of these insulators I employ the most sensi-
tive galvanometers, using those made especially for the
purpose by Kuhmkorf, Dr. Werner Siemens and Mr.
Becker. If we do not keep pace ''in the application
20
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[January 24, 1814.
of scientific laws to practical questions," we are deter-
mined not to be so far behind the rest of the world as
to lose sight of those that win the race. I am, etc.,
David Brooks
The Postmaster General's Report.
The annual report of the Postmaster General has
been very extensively circulated, and has deservedly
attracted considerable attention. The evils which
attend our present system, and which we have fre-
quently pointed out, seem at last to have received
some consideration, but to any intelligent person that
has had much experience in transmitting matters by
mail, it is very evident that Mr. Creswell's ideas in
regard to the best method of removing the defects
which are now a subject of general complaint are by
no means clear and practical. And we would earnestly
suggest to him that a thorough revision and reform in
the practical workings of our present postal operations
is far more necessary than any advance in the direc-
tion of postal savings banks or postal telegraphs. " One
thing at a time" is a good rule, and if Mr. Creswell
will ouly devote his energies to the perfecting of our
present system of sending letters, papers, books, etc.,
he will not only fiud his time and talents fully occu-
pied, but if he succeeds in giviug satisfaction to the
reasonable portion of the community, he will have
achieved a title to the gratitude of every man and wo-
man in the country, and this is more than he can hope
to attain even by his pet scheme of a Government tele-
graph. — Industrial Monthly.
(&Mxt$iwm\t\ut.
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our
Correspondents. Our columns are open to free discussions
on all Telegraphic subjects, without distinction of person or
opinion.
No notice will be taken of anonymous communications.
Congress and the Telegraph.
"Washington, D. C, January 12.
To the Editor op The Telegrapher.
The inevitable scheme of Mr. Gardner G. Hubbard,
which has been before Congress for several years, has
come to the surface once more. This scheme, as the
readers of The Telegrapher are aware, proposes that
a Postal Telegraph Company, so called, shall be char-
tered by Congress, and be worked in connection with
the Post-office Department. It is a scheme to estab-
lish a gigantic telegraph monopoly for t v he benefit of
the proposed corporation, under the auspice's of and
fostered by the Government. It is neither a private
enterprise, relying upon its patronage for its profit,
or a Government institution, the benefits of which are
to inure to the public, although it will be maintained
largely at the expense of the Treasury. The Postmas-
ter General does not favor this proposed enterprise,
but desires, if any change be made, that a bona fide
Government telegraph shall be established.
The bill was reintroduced by Senator Ramsay in the
Senate early in the session, as has already beeu stated
in this correspondence, and referred to the Post-office
Committee, of which he is Chairman. It is similar to
the bills which have heretofore been introduced in
previous Congresses, and offers no new features of im-
portance.
On Thursday and Friday of last week the committee
had the subject before them, and Mr. Hubbard was af-
forded an opportunity to repeat his oft told tale, and
restate his arguments in favor of his pet project,
which are now quite threadbare from such frequent
repetitions. The scheme has all the disadvantages of
the Government telegraph schemes, and none which
will compensate for such au extraordinary grant from
Congress.
President Orton and Mr. George B. Prescott, elec-
trician of the "Western Union Telegraph Company,
were also before the committee iu opposition to the
scheme, and are to be heard further in opposition to it
this week.
Mr. T. T. Eckert, of the "Western Union New York
office, also put in an appearance here on Monday
night.
Large numbers of the pamphlets, containing Mr.
Orton's reply to the report of the Postmaster General,
have been circulated among the members of Congress
and others here.
In reply to a resolution of the House, the Postmas-
ter General has prepared a statement in regard to the
additional numbers of employes of the Post-office De-
partment which would be required in case the tele-
graph was added to the other business of the depart-
ment. His statement is too long to be included in full
iu this letter, but, in conclusion, he reaffirms the esti-
mates given in his report of 1872, that an aggregate
telegraph force of 7,500, including all grades, at an
annual cost of $4,500,000, would be ample to work
the postal telegraph up to 30,000,000 of messages per
annum, which, he says, is about double the number
transmitted by all the companies operated one year
ago.
If our Postmaster General is great in anything it is
in statistics. It may be said for him that, having once
made his statistics, no amount of demonstration will in-
duce him to retract or vary tbem. The baselessness and
unreliability of his telegraph statistics have been repeat-
edly and conclusively shown, but he still adheres to and
repeats them with a confidence which, if not convinc-
ing, is, at least, courageous and obstinate, and is only
paralleled by Mr. Hubbard's persistent urging of his
scheme for a telegraph monopoly sanctioned by Con-
gress and largely supported by the public treasury.
If Mr. Creswell could reduce the deficiency of six
to seven millions in the postal business of the country,
Congress and the people might, perhaps, have more
confidence in his statistics, and his ability to conduct
the telegraph business successfully and satisfactorily.
But so long as this deficit annually increases under his
administra'ion, they will, on economical grounds, hesi-
tate to confide to him additional business, the cost of
which he so greatly underestimates. An effort will be
made to have a special committee appointed in each
House to take charge of the postal telegraph matter,
although the most sanguine friends of the scheme con-
cede that there isn't the ghost of a chauce for it this
session. The new representatives appear to take more
interest in the matter than the older members, and
some of them have commenced to cram, to display
their intimacy with the subject for the enlightenment
of their fellow members and the country when the
opportunity is afforded.
A bill was introduced in the House yesterday by
Mr. Negley, of Pennsylvania, "to promote telegraphic
communication with foreign countries." This bill pro-
vides for the incorporation of the Submarine Cable
Printing Telegraph Company, which is said to be, com-
posed of Boston and New York capitalists, to lay and
operate one or more lines of Atlantic cable. The en-
terprise is based upon new methods of ocean tele-
graphing — the invention of Mr. W. S. Sawyer, of this
city, who was formerly a correspondent here of several
newspapers. The promoters of this enterprise are con-
fident that Mr. Sawyer has made an important and
valuable invention, which will greatly increase the
rate of transmission of telegraphic signals over long
cable lines. Section 4 of the act provides "That the
tolls for governmental, commercial and private mes-
sages over the line or lines of the said company shall
not exceed fifty cents per word, and for press de-
spatches shall not exceed twenty-five cents per word."
The weather reports of the Signal Bureau, which
were formerly sent over the Pacific and Atlantic lines,
are now forwarded by the Western Union, and it is
said that arrangements have beeu concluded between
the Signal Bureau and the "Western Union Company
under which the latter is to resume the service in full,
as was the case originally. Capitol.
*-+*
Quantity and Intensity.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
I have read Mr. Pope's'introductory article with in-
terest and profit, and am especially pleased with his
happy illustration of the term potential. Pardon me,
but I do not quite see the drift of his assertion that Jhe
electric current cannot be distinguished by the terms
" quantity" and "intensity." I am no expert in these
matters, and ask only for information. Suppose we
have three cells of precisely the same electro-motive
force. How are we to distinguish the currents in the
two methods of connection, viz., in a single series, or
with all the zincs joined to one pole and all the carbons
to another? G.
Reply. — One objection to the use of the terms " quan-
tity" and "intensity" is, that they have not a well
understood and well defined meaning. It is customary
to speak of quantity and intensity currents, but a so-
called quantity current must have some degree of in-
tensity, and an intensity current must also have more
or less quantity. Then we have all shades of currents
between the two extremes of quantity and intensity,
and nobody can agree what to call them. In fact, the
use of these terms for so many years has involved the
whole subject in such confusion and obscurity, that I
doubt if anybody ever clearly understood it until they
had first got rid of the idea inevitably suggested by
them, viz., that there are two kinds of electro-currents,
of very different qualities and producing very different
effects. But when we have once grasped the idea that
there is only one kind of current, which, as I have
before said, is a current of greater or less quantity —
meaning by this that a greater or less amount of elec-
tricity passes through the circuit per second — our diffi-
culties and perplexities vanish.
Suppose we take four carbon cells, such as our cor-
respondent speaks of, and connect them to an electro-
magnet, first " for quantity " and then " for intensity "
— or, as I should term it, first parallel and then in
series — and see what the result will be. We will try
it first with an electro-magnet having a resistance of
4 ohms, and let the cells have an internal resistance of
1 ohm each. Connecting them parallel, we have a
total electro- motive force equal to one cell only, or say
1.75 volts. The resistance of 4 cells connected paral-
lel is only one fourth that of a single cell, or 0.25 ohms ;
add to this the resistance of the magnet, and the total
resistance in circuit is 4.25 ohms. Therefore, 1.75
(volts) divided by 4.25 (ohms) gives us a current of
0.41 (farads per second).
Now connect them in series and we have 1.75 x4 = 6
(volts), which, divided by 4 x 1 = 4 (battery resist-
ance) + 4 (magnet resistance) = 8, gives us a quotient
of 0.75 (farads per second), nearly twice as much cur-
rent as in the first case, showing that for the particular
magnet in question we get the best result by connect-
ing in series.
Now take another magnet having a resistance of 0.5'
ohms. Connected parallel the current would be 1.75
(volts) divided by 0.75 (ohms), or 2.3 (farads per
second). Connected in series we would have 6 (volts)
divided by 4.5 (ohms), or only 1.3 (farads per second).
Thus the effective force of any current may be pre-
cisely determined without the least vagueness. Thus
we find that the difference between a current of 100
cells, connected parallel with a very short exterior cir-
cuit, and that of the same in series with 500 miles of
telegraph wire in circuit, is merely one of degree, and
not of kind or quality. F. L. P.
Elizabeth, N. J., Jan. 20, 1874.
Indifference of Telegraph Operators to their
own Interests.
To the Editor of the Telegrapher.
The Telegrapher seems to be working earnestly
for the elevation of the profession. I wish you suc-
cess, but must confess it appears to be almost a hope-
less undertaking. The field for such labor is large,
but it seems to be almost like "casting pearls before
swine."
On a railroad division upon which there are twenty-
five telegraph offices, I have personally solicited sub-
scriptions for The Telegrapher at each office, and
obtained four. In three city offices, in places of 4,000
to 8,000 inhabitants, I was even less successfu! — obtain-
ing none. Two years ago many of these operators
knew nothing of The Telegrapher, but I think I
obtained two subscribers, last year three or four, and
this year, after circulating nearly all my numbers of
Vol. IX, I obtained four subscribers.
The following scene will illustrate the discouraging
indifference and evasions which are encountered by
those who appreciate the value of the paper, and desire
to benefit telegraphers by inducing them to take and
read it :
Scene : A Telegraph office. — Operator wearing silk hat,
which cost $6; brilliant neck-tie, $1.25, etc. Salary
$40 dollars per month. Enter solicitor for subscrip
tions to The Telegrapher.
Solicitor. " Have you read the papers I sent you ?"
Operator. "Ob, yes! Read most of them."
Solicitor. ''"Where are they? I want tq preserve
them."
Operator looks around and finds one behind the
ticket case ; another, which has falleu down behind the
safe, and thinks he must have used the other to kindle
the fire.
Solicitor. "Well, I suppose you will subscribe for
the coming year?"
Operator. "No, I can't do it! Two dollars is too
much for that kind of a paper. Times are too hard
now. My pay is not very much, and, besides, am
owing for a box of segars I"
Another, who has two students at present, and from
whose office have graduated six first class (?) operators
within the past two years, all now holding responsible
positions, at salaries of from $35 to $50 per month.
Enter agent, to solicit subscription to The Tele-
grapher.
Operator. "0, we get that regular; they send it to
us ; we don't have to pay for that, we don't."
Solicitor explains to best of his ability the difference
between The Telegrapher and the Journal — that the
object of the latter is to circulate W. U. Tariff circu-
lars, corrections, etc., but that The Telegrapher is
the organ of the fraternity in general ; only one in the
world with a large fund of scientific and general tele-
graphic information, chiefly devoted to elevating the
profession, etc., etc.
Operator. " Oh, wo don't care anything about that;
we get the Journal, that's good enough for us. "We
ain't going to pay for a paper when we are getting ono
of same kind dead head !"
Another, whose orders I have to obey, although he
makes me many miles of travel and weary hours of
work during a heavy rain, on a glass iusulated line of
100 miles, because he got a slight current, with key
open at the further eud, and did not see" how there
could be any escape, unless insulators were broken, or
trees or timbs on wire ; and when I suggested replac-
January 24, 1814.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
21
ing the old Bradley relay (resistance from 300 to 600
ohms), Avith uniform style, say 150 ohms, didn't see
what difference it made ; an instrument was an instru-
ment, any way; if they would answer calls, it was all
he wanted — when solicited to subscribe, says, "It
don't amount to shucks ! I wouldn't read it if you
would give it to me. Some high toned stuff cant,
nobody understands, and rest damn nousense," etc.
Another, who has a short line from his office to the
room of a Telegraph Institute, with a capacity of about
ten plugs per month, when solicited, says, " O yes; I
want that paper, that is a pretty good thing ; I am
going to have that paper; but, by George, I ain't pre-
pared to send just now. What is the address?"
Copies address, saying, " I am going to send for that
just as soon as I can." He did the same last year, and
probably will as often as asked, never intending to
subscribe.
Now, what can be done to elevate such telegraphers
as these 1 I have but little faith in their elevation. If
there is such a thing as total depravity, I think they
have not far to get there. T.
, « »♦
The Transmission of the President's Message.
Audubon, Minn., Jan. 14.
Xo the Editor of The Telegrapher.
It is claimed that the following statement —
" Quick Telegraphing. — The President's message,
Spanish protocol and synopsis of the Treasury report,
in all 12,325 words, were, on the 2d iust., transmitted
from "Washington, D. C, to New York, over eight
wires, by the Western Union Telegraph Company, in
one hour. This is the shortest time in which the mes-
sage was ever received, and under the disadvantage of
unfavorable weather — a steady rain falling at the time
along the whole length of the lines. The report passed
through the Associated Press office in one hour and
twenty minutes" — refers to transmission by the Auto-
matic system. I claim that it was sent by the Morse
system, making 26 words per. minute for each wire
— it being transmitted at the same time' over eight
different wires. Will you inform us through The
Telegrapher which is right ? Ten.
[Tou are right. The despatch referred to was trans-
mitted by the Morse. The Western Union Company do
not operate the Automatic system — which President
Orton states, as he formerly did in regard to the Du-
plex, to be inferior to the Morse, as regards speed, and
practically valueless. He will, doubtless, in process
of time see his error, and retract his present assertions
as completely as he already has done in regard to the
latter, which, in bis last annual report to the stock-
holders of the Western Union Company, he claims to
be (Mr. Stearns' patents having since been purchased
by his company) the " most important and valuable
of all the improvements which have been made since
the Morse telegraph was first established." — [Editor
op The Telegrapher.]
The Character, Disposition and Ability of Many
Telegraph and Railroad Officials.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
I have often thought this world of ours would be a
very pleasant and delightful place to live in if the hu-
man race were not disposed to be so selfish and exacting
one of another. But man too often forgets the golden
rule, and instead thereof acts upon what is sometimes
called the silver rule — that is, do unto others as others
do unto you, and by his selfish ways, and the harsh and
unfeeling manner in which he treats his fellow man,
he not only makes himself miserable, but also all
wjth whom he comes in contact. In the language of
the poet, "Man's inhumanity to man makes countless
thousands mourn." Kindness costs nothing, and what
a magic power there is in it who can tell ? It will
reach the heart and compel us to respect the one who
exhibits it toward us. Who would not do all in his or
her power to please one who thus treats them- kindly
and encourages them 1 ? I refer particularly to em-
ployer and employe, and in order to make the matter
still plainer, say railroad and telegraph officials and
their employes. There are so many of these so-called
officials who are in some way placed in positions of
honor and trust, that are as undeserving and unqualified
for the positions, they command as a child, and these
are not exceptional cases, but very common; and, in-
stead of matters improving in this direction, they are
constantly growing worse and more unbearable, and
in nine cases out of ten of such officials, who rise from
some humble position in life to hold one of any impor-
tance at all, they entirely forget how very low down
they themselves once were, and they seem to think
they are fully licensed to abuse their fellow man who
has the misfortune to be uuder their authority. They
want everybody to know who they are and that they
wear the brass collar. They very forcibly remind me
of a story my grandfather used to tell of a man of his
acquaintance residing in Connecticut, who was elected
captain of militia in his native town, and was so elated
over the matter, and wanted to be known by the name
of Captain , that he used to go out to his barn, and
stick his head in a barrel, and call out, "Captain
." Now this man's qualifications and vanity fully
illustrates the one half of our so-called officials who
assume the management of railways and telegraph
lines. How such men ever command these positions
has always been a query to my mind, but how they
manage to keep them is a greater query. They are
undoubtedly a great detriment to the business. Now
the kind of men we want for superintendents and other
important offices are generous, whole sonled and kind
hearted men. Let such men as are referred to in the
commencement of this communication study the life
and character of our Saviour if they would learn a les
sou of humbleness and self-sacrifice. He was never
known to turn any away without giving them satisfac-
tion, and if the Great Teacher could condescend to
always speak kindly and encourage all who applied to
Him, then I think men ought to be heartily ashamed
of their way of treating those under them. I am glad
we, as a fraternity have just such a paper as The
Telegrapher, through whose columns we may ex-
press our views and defend our rights; and as The
Telegrapher is not the organ of any monopoly, and
is not kept up by any mammoth telegraph company,
we may expect to see our cause fearlessly defended.
I wish the whole fraternity would give The Tele-
grapher their support and encourage the editor in his
work. Melville.
*-*-*
The Character and Habits of Telegraph
Operators.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
In reply to " Prankie's " note, I would say that there
was a time when I thought that operators were in-
deed a " clownish set." I don't think I ever met with
one but what he smoked, chewed and drank, and, in
fact, some of them, after they have eaten their dinner,
must have a little game of billiards before going back
to their office. But in The Telegrapher of late I have
seen some very nice and interesting communications
from those who, I trust, are perfect gentlemen and true
Christians. There was one over the signature of " H,"
if I mistake not, which I admired exceedingly. It
showed a mother's careful trainiug, and it made me
feel glad to see his courage in saying "No," when
asked by a friend to take a drink or a smoke. Oh, I
wish there were more young men like him. May he
always have streugth to resist temptation.
Tou think, " Prankie," that he was not a very dear
friend. At that time we were, and I use to enjoy
going to his office, but since then we meet as strangers,
but I trust we are friends. A reconciliation is indeed
without hope.
I do not think I felt " sour," but am afraid I had a
few bard feelings against " Aaron Around," for I do
hate selfishness. No, I have not an office, and often
feel discouraged, but still " I'll wait a while longer
before I despair." I thank " Prankie " for his sympathy,
and would certainly receive him as a student, but
think he would make a great sacrifice, for he would be
obliged to give up smoking and all the rest of his bad
habits (which, I trust, are few). I will bid the readers
of this paper a kindly farewell, for I think this is the
last time you will hear from me at present, as I cannot
afford to take The Telegrapher any more, at least
not until I get an office, when I hope to have a few
more " stamps " than I have at present. I have taken
great interest in the correspondent's column, and re-
gret that I am unable to unite with you to help along
this interesting paper. Should " Fraukie " like to hear
from me personally (that is if he is unmarried) I will
give the editor of The Telegrapher liberty to give
him my address. Nettie Bronson.
Country vs. City Telegraph Operators.
California, January 7.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
In your issue of the 27th ult. my attention has been
called to the remarks of " Rover," who seems to look
down upon we "country plugs' having countrj r offices, as
though he thought it was a disgrace to be the manager
of a country office; and, also, his remarks for the
placing of boys in the San Francisco office. Now, it is
my fortune to have been connected with the Western
Union lines for something like six years, and in that
time have gained considerable knowledge of the
" ticking of the instrument, and understand its" ling,"
at a moderate rate of speed, although not a first class
man in my own estimation, as some of our young men
are apt to think themselves, when actually they are
only passable.
The reason why boys are employed in San Francisco
is because the boys can send and receive what is given
them to do as though it were a school, while wo " coun-
try plugs" are holding responsible transfer offices —
money to the extent of $1,000 to $2,000 a month — doing
as though it were a banking business, requiring a clear
head and a knowledge of figures, facts and faces. We
" country plugs " supply the San Francisco daily
papers with all the interesting matter of our several
country precincts, and our reports are published as
sent, provided the San Francisco " first class ope-
rators " do not make a "cow's brother" of our dis-
patches. We " country plugs," in case of disturbance or
breaking of lines, must mount our country plugs (horses
or mustangs, as called here) and away with our blocks
and tackle. Eighty-five to one hundred miles is not
thought of by us. I have ridden one hundred and
sixty miles in three days to repair a ground which
another man had passed unnoticed. Do the first class
operators of San Francisco know anythiug of making a
splice, climbing a pole, riding broncos, or testing for
grounds outside of the key 1 The sum and substance
of " Rover's" remarks is that he has been superseded
by the boys in San Francisco, and very likely would
like now to take a back seat and become a " country
plug." Indignant Country Plug.
Telegraphers Unjustly Accused and Charac-
terized.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
It is a good time to think to-day, for the lines are
all down, and I have only heard a faint click on my
instruments once or twice during the day. I have sat
here alone so long with no company or business, listen-
ing to the driving winds and rain as it rushes through
the icy tree tops, that I feel (how shall I express it;
blues don't begin) as though I would like to be at
home, sitting in the little corner back of the stove,
with the old cat on my knee. (I'll warrant he don't
get much petting now). How cosy it looks. I think
most any one would appreciate the picture if they
could only look with me out of rny little window and
see nothing but trees, with not even the smoke from
some straggling chimney in sight. Having nothing
much to do I have been reading The Telegrapher,
and since laying it aside I have been wondering wheth-
er anything I could say would entertain or give any
one as pleasant thoughts as the communication over
thesiguature " Mellville," in your first issue of the
New Tear, has given me. It seems good to hear once
in awhile that there are some who think there is still
some chance of operators escaping from the charge of
total depravity. I should think, from some of the com-
munications in the last four or five numbers of our
paper, that the writers had been getting in very bad
company by the way they depreciate the whole fra-
ternity. (T have heard it said that " birds of a feather
will flock together.") Let us have a rest on the moral
and social standing question, and if some one must
be abused, take some other profession, by all means.
If we don't respect ourselves the public won't, surely.
N. R.
♦-*-•
Practical Suggestions.
Michigan, January 14.
To the Editor of the Telegrapher.
Hearing my brother operators around me making
suggestions, and good ones, too, I think I will make
at least one. It is this : That we be more careful in
future, in sending messages, to put in the periods, and
when necessary, even the commas. I have received
not a few messages which could be read two ways ;
either way with equally as much sense as the other.
Now, by inserting the period, the message would be
made to read with a definite meaning. The party re-
ceiving may be expecting the message, and thus be
able to read it with the true meaning, while again it
may be an enigma to him, and possibly cause serious
trouble, all from the omission of that little period.
Let us hear your opinion upou the subject.
Sentinel.
« ««
Phenomena of Induced Currents.
The induction current is very generally employed,
as is well known, in the stimulation of nerves and
muscles. A new fact in this connection has been
pointed out by Mr. Onimus, and is worth noting by
physiologists. It is that the physiological effects
differ according to the material of which the wire is
formed. He made exactly similar coils of copper, lead
and German silver wire, of 210 metres in length and of
equal diameter. They were submitted in the same
way to the action of the inducing curreut. It is stated
generally, that when the wire for the induced current
is of a metal that conducts electrioitj' badly, the con-
tractions are much stronger, and the impressions on
the cutaneous nerves less vivid than with good con-
ducting wires, such as copper. The current induced
in the badly conducting wires has much greater ten-
sion than that in good conductors. Various experi-
ments are described, which appear to show that Ger-
man silver may with advantage be substituted for
copper wire in certain cases. — English Mechanic.
22
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[January 24, 1874.
The Telegrapher
Pevoted to the Jntef^ests
OF THE
TELEGRAPHIC FRATERNITY.
SATURDAY, JANUARY U, 1874.
THE TELEGRAPHER:
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY at 38 YESEY ST.
T ZE :n t hc volume.
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION.
One Copy, One Year, ----- $3.00.
INVARIABLY IN ADVANCE.
Single Copies Five Cents.
SPECIMEN COPIES FORWARDED FREE on APPLICATION.
Communications must be addressed to
J. N. ASHLEY, Publisher,
(P. O. Box 5603.) 38 YESEY ST. , New Yorh.
npHE TELEGRAPHER.
A JOURNAL OF ELECTRICAL PROGRESS,
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS
OF THE
Telegraphic Fraternity and the Advancement
of Electrical Science and the
Telegraphic Art.
Published Every Saturday ,
AT
No. 38 VESEY STREET, New York.
TENTH VOLUME.
The Tenth Volume of THE TELEGRAPHER will
commence with the number for SATURDAY, JANUARY 3d,
1874, and will close with the year.
All the popular features of the paper will be continued, and it
will be improved from time to time, as opportunityshall offer.
THE TELEGRAPHER
has now, for nearly ten yeahs, been maintained upon its merits,
and without patronage or support, other than that derived from
its legitimate business, for the past five years. (Previous to that
time it was partially maintained by the National Telegraphic
Union.)
The TENTH VOLUME commences under favorable auspices,
and it may be said that it enjoys the entire confidence of the
TELEGRAPHIC FRATERNITY,
whose organ it is and will continue to be. It is a thoroughly
INDEPENDENT TELEGRAPHIC NEWSPAPER,
bound to, or in the interests of no telegraphic clique ok com-
bination, but honestly devoted to the interests of the
PRACTICAL TELEGRAPHERS.
As heretofore, no labor, time or expense, warranted by the
patronage received, will be spared to improve its character, and
add to its interest, and to sustain its reputation as the only
first class
ELECTRICAL AND TELEGRAPHIC JOURNAL
UPON THE
AMERICAN CONTINENT.
Terms of Subscription.
ONE COPY, ONE YEAR $2 00
SINGLE COPIES Five Cents.
Canada Subscribers must remit Twenty Cents in addition for
Postage.
Specimen Copies will be forwarded free on application.
Telegraphers and others are desired to act as Agents in obtain-
ing subscriptions, and will be allowed Twenty Per Cent. Com-
missions in lieu of Premiums or Club rates upon the amount of
such subscriptions, which may be deducted from remittances
when made.
Any person sending the names and money for four subscri-
bers, at the regular price of subscription, two dollars per year,
will be ontitled to receive an extra copy free.
Subscribers changing; their residences, and desiring a
change in their address, must always send their old as
well as their new address.
Remittances for subscriptions may be made by mail, by post-
office order or registered letter, at the ritk of the Publisher, but
no responsibility will be assumed for money sent without such
precaution. On remittances of not less than five dollars the
cost of the order or registration may be deducted from the
amount.
Advertisements are solicited, and will be inserted at reasonable
ratei ; but no Advertisement will be inserted for less than One
Dollar per insertion.
All communications relating to or intended for THE TELE-
GRAPHER must be addressed to
J. N. ASHLEY, Publisher,
(P. O. Box 5503,)' NEW YORK.
The Arguments in Favor of and Against a Tele-
graphic Monopoly.
Ever since, in the progress of events, it became evi-
dent that comparatively short telegraph lines and
small telegraph companies must he superseded by sys-
tems which should practically be national in their
character, there has been a persistent effort to establish
and maintain a monopoly of the telegraph business of
the"country. The "Western Union Telegraph Company
is the outgrowth and result of this effort. The policy
of absorption and consolidation of opposing and com-
peting telegraph lines and companies has been stead-
fastly pursued, and line after line, and company after
company has been brought into that organization, until
it has become the largest and most powerful telegraph
organization in the world. The purpose of its mana-
gers past and present to make it practically a monopoly
has neither been disguised nor denied.
It cannot be denied that the arguments in favor of
such a monopoly have much weight, and that certain
important advantages may be secured thereby. It is
claimed that one organization can conduct the business
more economically than if it be as now and heretofore
carried on, by two or more organizations, covering the
same territory, with opposing interests and duplicate
offices, employes and officials. This is undoubtedly
true, and if the interests of stockholders were alone to
be consulted the argument must be decided in favor of
the monopoly. But besides the interests of proprie-
tors those of the public who are not owners of tele-
graph shares, and who patronize the lines, and of the
employes who depend upon telegraph employment, are
to be considered. The advantages 4,0 be derived are,
in our opinion, more than offset by the disadvantages
to the two classes above mentioned. While the busi-
ness would perhaps be more profitable, experience has
shown that the public would find in an established
telegraphic monopoly less regard for the interests and
convenience of its patrons than when these have the
option of employing its facilities, and, if dissatisfied with
the manner in which its business is conducted, of trans-
ferring their patronage to a competing line. The im-
portant reductions of charges for telegraphic service
are unquestionably due in great part to the existence
of rival organizations. These may and probably have
been of late more or less influenced by the urgent at-
tempts which have been made to transfer the entire
business to Government owuership and administration,
but this has had less effect than the other cause men-
tioned.
As regards the employes, there can be no doubt but
that their condition and compensation is influenced
favorably by the existence of telegraphic competition,
and the fact that they have to some extent a choice of
employers. It creates a rivalry for the service of the
better qualified among the employes, and enables them
to secure far better terms than if there were but one
organization to which they could apply for employ-
ment.
Another argument which the monopolists urge is,
that one organization being more wealthy and power-
ful than if subject to competition, it would be enabled
to afford more complete and extensive facilities, and
better provide for the expansion and growth of the
business. This argument, too, is not without force, ab-
stractly considered, and if we had reached that mil-
lenial period when men, and aggregations of men into
corporations, should seek not merely their own but
their neighbors' profit as well, would have much more
force than under existing circumstances and conditions.
The object for which telegraph as well as other cor-
porations are established is primarily to make a profit
from the business transacted. . These will extend and
expand only so fast and so far as may be necessary to
secure a profit on their business. Monopolies are sel-
dom as energetically managed as when they are sub-
ject to the^pur of active competition, and, provided the
balance sheet is all right, and the dividends satisfactory,
there will be but little effort to provide facilities which
involve the investment of additional capital, perhaps
I not immediately remunerative. A telegraphic mo-
nopoly once assured, there would be a hesitancy about
extending lines and increasing facilities which does not
now exist.
The foregoing are the arguments which are princi-
pally relied upon to justify the establishment of a
monopoly of the telegraphic business of this country
in the hands of the Western Union Telegraph Com-
pany. That they are plausible is admitted — that they
are fallacious we think has been demonstrated. It is
not for the interests of either the public or the em-
ployes that the efforts which are made to establish
such a monopoly shall succeed, and we do not believe
that they will succeed. The genius and character of
the American people is opposed to monopolies, and
especially to a telegraphic monopoly, and there is no
doubt but that if every existing competing telegraph
line and company should be absorbed into the Western
Union organization, the means would be speedily fur-
nished to establish new ones.
We have just seen one of ttre leading competing tele-
graph organizations consolidated with the Western
Union, and already plans are being perfected to cover
the routes formerly occupied by that company, on
which there are now no competing lines. So would it
be if the others were to follow the Pacific and Atlantic
into that mausoleum of telegraph organizations — the
Western Union Telegraph Company.
The true policy of the companies outside of the
Western Union combination we have pointed out time
and again, and the opportunity is now presented for
the adoption of this policy. It is the only safe one,
and the only one by whicn an organization capable of
competing effectively and successfully can be estab-
lished. It is to follow the example of their adversary
and consolidate the several companies into one organi-
zation, under one management, and then extend the
system until, like the Western Union, it becomes
general and national. The interests of investors, the
public and the telegraph employes demand this, and if
it is not done, those who are responsible therefor will
be very much to blame. We believe that it only re-
quires that some responsible parties should take the
lead, and it can and will be effected, now that the
principal obstacle, the Pacific and Atlantic Company,
is out of the way.
The railroad companies, to whom the telegraph
under their owu control and management has become
almost indispensable, are deeply interested in the
matter, and may very well take the lead in such a con-
solidation. Any telegraphic monopoly is adverse to
their interests, and would inevitably subject them,
once established and assured, to burdens and restric-
tions of which they have had during the continuance
of the Morse patents some experience. So much
greater as their telegraphic interests are now than
they were then, so much more onerous would they
find the reestablishment of the control of a telegraphic
monopoly. They should be wise in time, and at once
move in this matter of such great importance to them.
Discouraging Experience of a Friend of The
Telegrapher.
A communication from a friend of The Tele-
grapher, which we print this week, details some rather
discouraging experience in soliciting subscriptions
for this paper. This is bat a sample of many such
statements which we receive on this subject, and we
print this to show the frivolous character of many tele-
graphers, and of the excuses and evasions resorted to
for the purpose of avoiding contributions to the sup-
port of the organ of the telegraphic fraternity.
It is true, ' t as stated by our correspondent, that we
are endeavoring earnestly to secure the elevation of the
character and standing of the telegraphic fraternity. It
is also true that the progress made in that direction is
slow, and our experience somewhat discouraging. Yet
we believe that the influence of The Telegrapher is
beneficial, and that the information and instruction
which it is constantly imparting is of much value, and
increasing the efficiency and professional ability of its
January 24, 1814.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
£3
readers. "Were it not for this the labor and responsibil-
ity imposed would indeed be poorly compensated.
In the last issue of The Telegrapher we briefly
referred to this subject, and do not know that there is
much to add to what was then said. There are but
few telegraphers who cannot, if they desire to do so,
afford the small sum of two dollars per annum for the
weekly visits of the paper, and, without inteuding to be
egotistical, we think we may properly claim that they
receive many times the value of their investment. du-
ring the year. The excuses and evasions made are not
creditable to those who make them, and show either
gross ignorance and incapacity, or that they are more
Inclined to devote their money to sensual gratifications
than to that which will improve them in the profession
through which they seek to obtain a living.
There is another view of the matter which is worthy
the consideration of such persons. The better quali-
fied they become, and the more intelligence they ex-
hibit, the better will be their chances for promotion
and compensation. The complaints of insufficient
compensation are, in many instances, not just. Proba-
bly a .majority of those who thus complain actually
receive fully as much compensation as their ability and
acquirements entitle them to, and in many instances
much more than they could receive in any other capa-
city. "We desire that all telegraphers should be pro-
perly compensated, and it is to be regretted that the
evil effect of the employment of incapable and insuffi-
ciently instructed operators is not limited to them-
selves. They not only injure themselves, but they
give to the fraternity, generally, a low standing, and too
often the whole are judged by these inferior members.
This is not just, perhaps, but it is unavoidable. If the
business was relieved from the incubus of their pres-
ence it would be greatly to the advantage of all who
are worthy the name of practical telegraphers.
We do not make these remarks so much in the inter-
est of The Telegrapher as in that of the fraternity.
As we have before stated, it is the right of any person
whose support for this paper is solicited to decline it,
but let them put it on the true ground, and not pre-
tend that impecuniosity is the cause, while they
weekly or monthly squander much more than the
amount of the subscription in things not only of no
benefit; but most frequently of actual damage to
them.
True Worth.
Some excellent and timely remarks upon the above
subject appeared in the last number of our official con-
temporary, after reading which we feel compelled to
say that, while no well informed person for a moment
supposes they can have any practical application under
such a perfectly organized system of civil service as
that now in force at the Western Union headquarters,
yet there is, nevertheless, much reason to fear that the
injudicious publication of articles of this kind may af-
ford opportunities for evil minded persons to insinuate,
that some deeper signification is intended than is at
first sight apparent, which would, to say the least, be
a very unfortunate circumstance, and one eminently
calculated to make the judicious grieve. At the same
time, there is so much sound philosophy and undeni-
able truth in the observations of our contemporary
that we feel that it would be an injustice to our readers
not to reproduce them. They are as follows:
"A really modest and meritorious person will never
make pretensions of any kind. His manner and ex-
pressions will always have a tendency to underrate his
real ability, not because he will pretend to be less ca-
pable than he really is, but as so many men have be-
come pretentious in their manners and expressions, he
fears he may be considered as such. *We are, in con-
sequence, too apt to consider the extent of the capacity
of those whom we meet a little below the standard in-
dicated by their acts and expressions. Therefore, true
merit is seldom properly appreciated, and its cultiva-
tion is never greatly encouraged. On the contrary,
pretence is almost always successful. He who is pre-
tentious affects the interests of society in a similar
manner as the swindler. He induces men to doubt the
capacity of others, and often refuse aid and employ-
ment, because they measure the merits of all by those
of the pretentious fop and the conceited ignoramus.
Many an honest and skilful man, and many a valuable
improvement, has been refused support and adoption
because the pretentious swindler has previously misled
the people and imposed upon them outrageously. Pre-
tensions of every kind are the true indications of a
weak mind or a would-be swindler."
A Destructive Sleet Storm.
The recent storm was very severe in Central and
Southern Ohio, and the telegraph lines suffered greatly.
Tee formed on the wires nearly two inches in diameter,
with icicles depending therefrom from two to six inches
in length. Immense numbers of poles were broken
off, and where the poles withstood the strain the arms
and brackets were stripped off by wholesale. On the
Marietta and Cincinnati R. R. not one of the three
wires was left in working condition for half a mile in
any one place, for a distance of fifty miles. The oldest
wire of the three was broken, as a correspondent re-
marks, "in 1,000,000,000,000 places by actual count,"
and is to be replaced by a new one. Such storms often
do good service by annihilating a great many lines that
have outlived their usefulness, but are in the disheart-
ening condition of not being good enough to work,
and a little too good to throw away. Prom the ac-
counts of the storm which have reached us, we think it
probable that there are not many of that sort of lines
left in southwestern Ohio at this writing.
A Chance for a Little Civil Service Reform.
The inventors of the country are under the greatest
obligations to Commissioner Leggett for the many re-
forms and improvements he has introduced into the
patent office, and especially for the tasteful and con-
venient manner in which not only the patents them-
selves, but the official reports and decisions are gotten
up, and the means provided for obtaining them with the
utmost promptness and the smallest amount of trouble
and expense. But "if not inconsistent with public in-
terests," as they say in Congress, we do wish that the
Commissioner would try'and get a person who has at
least had an introduction to "Webster's elementary
spelling book in place of the present official who prints
the titles of the inventions on the photo-litographic
drawings attached to the patents. According to his
orthography the Page patent is for " Indiction Coil Ap-
paratus and Curcuit-Bveakers" and we also observe
that Mr. Parmer has a patent upon " Electro- Magnec-
tic Telegraphs." Give him a cold potato and let him
go.
♦-«-•
The January Magazines.
THE INDUSTRIAL MONTHLY.
The January number of this handsomely printed and
well conducted publication has reached us, and is one
of the most valuable of all our exchanges. "We re-
produced some of its articles in another part of this
paper. The present number is illustrated with two
handsome chromo-lithographs of machinery. Oue ex-
cellent feature of the Industrial Monthly is the pub-
lication of a list of all the articles of any importance
appearing in the current industrial literature of the
world, by means of which any one who is only inter-
ested specially in one particular branch of science may
ascertain whether any one of the scientific periodicals
of the month contain anything of value to him without
being obliged to take them all. For our own part we
consider this feature alone worth the price of the whole
work which is only $1.50 per year. The publication
office is at 176 Broadway, Now York City.
Telegraph Poles.
The great and increasing demand for telegraph poles
in this country, and the constant and rapid decrease of
available timber has made them difficult to obtain and
increased their cost. "With the opening of spring tele-
graph construction will be resumed, and we therefore
render a service in calling attention to the advertise-
ment of Mr. Colby, of Toronto, Canada, who offers to
furnish first rate cedar poles at reasonable prices, de-
livered at the Lake ports.
"We know Mr. Colby, and have no hesitation in re-
commeudiug him to the consideration of those who
may need telegraph poles, who can deal with him with
confidence that he will furnish a good article, and that
what he contracts to deliver they may rely upon ob-
taining.
♦-♦-*
History of Postal Telegraph Schemes.
Attention of parties interested is called to the ad-
vertisement of the documents published by the govern-
ment, telegraph companies and others during the last
six years in connection with the schemes for a postal
or government telegraph. This offers a rare oppor-
tunity to obtain a complete copy of all these docu-
ments.
♦-»-♦
Numbers of Volume IX wanted.
"We are very much in want of a few copies of Nos.
342 and 351 of Tol. IX of The Telegrapher, to com-
plete files. Any person who may have either of these
numbers to spare will confer a great favor by sending
them to this office.
Mr. Henry Yan Hoevenbergh has been appointed
Assistant Superintendent of the Gold and Stock Tele-
graph Co., in charge of all printing instruments and
wires connected with the New York Commercial
News Department.
Mr. W. W. Blrhans, lately in the employ of the
Pacific and Atlantic Telegraph Company, New York,
has accepted the position of night manager of the
Washington, D. C, office of the Southern and Atlantic
Company.
Mr. C. R. Dart has resigned his position with the
Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Co. at Troy, N. Y., and
gone to California for his health.
Mr. B. P. McManus has resigned his position with
the Franklin Telegraph Co. at Washington, D. C, and
retired from the business.
Mr. Wm. Garland has accepted a position with the
Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Co. at 198 Broadway,
New York.
Mr. M. 0." Gross formerly with the Pacific and Atlantic
Co., Chicago, 111., has accepted a situation with the
Atlantic and Pacific Co. in that city.
Telegraphic and Electrical Brevities.
The Western Union and Arizona Military Telegraph
offices were yesterday opened in their new quarters in
Josse's brick building, corner D and Fifth streets.
Under the competent direction of Manager Smith the
rooms have been conveniently fitted up, and there is
no neater telegraph office in the country than that of
San Diego. The public will be perfectly accommo-
dated, while the operating room, battery room, etc., af-
ford ample space for the business of the lines. The lo-
cation is a very fine one, and is generally satisfactory.
— San Diego (Cal.) Union.
The unfortunate Spanish frigate Arapiles, which has
been detained so long at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and
which has met with a series of misfortunes somewhat
discouraging to her officers and crew, while passing
down the East river, dragged her anchor and tore up
and damaged the seven wire cable of the Gold and Stock
Telegraph Company, which is laid from the foot of
Jackson street to Brooklyn.
Hooper's Telegraph Works have received the fol-
lowing message from Mr. France, their engineer in
chief, announcing the successful laying of the Pernam-
buco-Bahia section of the Western and Brazilian Com-
pany's cables: " Cable successfully laid on the 11th of
December. Insulation superb. Start from Rio about
the 25th."
•-•-♦
The Quotation and District Telegraphs in
England.
The managing director of the Exchange Telegraph
Company in London gives notice that the compaoy
will give daily at about 4 P. M. the " opening prices "
on the New York Stock Exchange of a few of the lead-
ing stocks and shares, the rate of exchange, price of
gold, and the general tone of the market; as also
special extra messages, should circumstances render
such necessary. He also announces that, " among
24
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[January 24, 1814.
other things, we are introducing: the ' call system,' as
now worked at ISTew York, by which householders can
call a messenger, cab, medical man, police, or give the
alarm of fire, and so soon as the system is worked out,
it will be started in the metropolis; in the meaDtime
we are giving it free to" our subscribers on the Stock
Exchange, for the purpose of calling members from the
House to their offices."
The Concession for «a Telegraph Cable between
Pern and Chili.
The Lima, Peru, correspondent of the Panama Star
and Herald writes, under date of Dec. 20th, 1873, that
• on the 18th instant a decree was made public by the
Minister of Public Works granting permission to Mr.
Charles Scott for the construction of a submarine
cable between Callao and some port to be named in
Chili. Mr. Scott is the representative of the India
Rubber, Gutta Percha and Telegraph Works Company
of London, and offers to lay the cable without special
privilege or guarantee of any description, within the
term of eighteen months from date. The port to be
selected iu Chili will probably be Caldera, from whence
a land line runs to Valparaiso and thence across the
Cordileras to the Argentine Confederation. When we
have Mr. Scott's cable and that between Payta and
Panama in operation, it will be an easy matter for the
inhabitants of Buenos Ayres and Montevideo to wire
their greetings via Santiago de Chili and Lima to
friends in the old world. Owing to the malevolence of
a discharged employe, the wires were cut between
Payta and this city, and the first intelligence of the.
attitude assumed by the United States towards Spaiu
in the Virginius question, reached us with the steamer
Lima on the 17th instant.
Irregularities of the West India and Panama
Cable.
Many complaints have reached us lately of the
freat delay in the transmission of messages by West
ndia cable. We have heard of three instances within
the past week in which messages from the United
States were so long delayed as to bo completely
worthless when received. Some with business orders
for return steamer from Aspinwall were not delivered
till long after the steamer had sailed thence. We have
similar complaints of messages from this coast to New
York. Such management on'the part of the company or
companies is inexcusable. Wheu the cable is broken,
or not in working order, the fact should be made pub-
lic immediately ; and when delay is deemed unavoid-
able, the time of delay likely to occur should be given,
otherwise the companies should be obliged to refund
the cost of all messages kept back beyond a due time.
The management of the cables between Jamaica and
the United States has ever been such as to render
them atf annoyance more than a benefit to those pa-
tronizing them. It is high time some steps were
taken to remedy the evil. — The (Panama) Star and
Herald.
*-*-♦
The Patent Congress.
■ A Convention of patentees and persons interested
in patents and patent inventions was held in Washing-
ton, D. C, last week, which was numerously attended.
This Convention Was in response to the recommenda-
tion of the International Patent Convention, held at
Vienna during the International Exposition. The dif-
ficulties and disadvantages experienced by American
inventors in foreign countries in their efforts to secure
protection were discussed, and it was resolved to hold
a grand International Patent Congress at Philadelphia
during the Centenuial Celebration in 1876.
Resolutions were adopted declaring that the produc-
tion of inventions should be guaranteed by the laws of
all civilized nations, and that a patent should be
granted for a term of 17 years, with a privilege of ex-
tension for the benefit of the inventor or his heirs for
a further term of at least seven years. A resolution
was submitted recommending that Congress make use
of the surplus fund of the Patent Office now in the
United States Treasury for the erection of a suitable
building in Judiciary Square, for the exhibition of the
models of inventors. This fund is over $1,000,000.
A permanent organization was formed, and it was
recommended that State associations be organized.
The following officers were elected: John S. Perry, of
Albany, President ; Dr. C. F. Stansbury, of Washing-
ton, Secretary; Hon. J. M. Thatcher, of Washington,
Treasurer. Directors : T. A. Dodge, Massachusetts ;
C. P. Kimball, Minnesota; G. H. Christy, Pennsyl-
vania; JST. R. Graham. Illinois; 1ST. C. Stiles, Connecti-
cut; C. E. McDonald, Indiana; J. S. Boyle, Ohio-
H. G. Bulkley, New York.
In. one of the county schools in England the art of
telegraphing is taught to the children with much suc-
cess. . The Postmaster General approves of the scheme,
and is highly pleased at its adoption.
A telegraph messenger boy got his despatches mixed
the other day, and handed a jockey a telegram which
read, " Can you supply our pulpit next Sunday?" And
to a well known clergyman a despatch which read,
" The race is postponed' till Monday. Can't you come
down and spend Sunday?"
New Patents.
&§• Official, Copies of any U. S. Patent issued since July
1st, 1871, including drawings, specifications and claims in full, tent
free to any address for 25 cents each. Address F. L. Pope, P. O.
Box 5603, New York City.
For the. week ended December 30, 1873, and bearing that date.
No. 145.997. — Telegbaph Insulator. Christian Fox and Elisha
G. Heston, Gap, Pa. Application filed August 20, 1873.
An annular glass ins ilator, slotted in its upper face for the
wire, fits over a stud and rests upon a shoulder on the support-
ing bar*. A shed cap screws down upon the stud.
i he combination of the nut-like cap C with its sheltering base
to cover, clamp and protect the annular slotted insulator G B,
when the latter reits upon the shoulder a, and the former re-
ceives the screw end D of a vertical shaft or support, A, the
whole arranged in the manner showD.for the purpose set forth.
H
ISTORY OF POSTAL TELEGRAPH
SCHEMES.
The important documents on this subject published by the
Government, the telegraph companies and others, during the
last six years ; well bound ; in one volume, of over 1,000
pages. One copy for sale.
Price, $10.
Address,
"THE TELEGRAPHER." .
w
ANTED.
Wanted to know the whereabouts of ROBERT McCALLTJM.
Was operating on the B. and M. K. B. when last heard from.
Any one knowing him, or having seen him during the past three
years, will please communicate with his brother, ALEXANDER
JlcCALLTJM, Mendocine City, California, and by so doing will
confer a great favor.
E
UGENE F. PHILLIPS,
MANUFACTURER OF
REED & PHILLIPS'
Anson Stageh,
Pres't.
Elisha Gray,
Sup't.
Enos M. Barton,
Sec'y.
PATENT INSULATED TELEGRAPH WIRES,
(PATENTED, NOVEMBER 1STH, 1873.)
Lock Box 169. PROVIDENCE, R. I.
Having recently enlarged our factory, we are now prepared
to furnish at short notice any style and quantity of
BRAIDED LINEN or COTTON COVERED WIRE,
saturated and finished with our Patent Compound, which makes
the most durable, handsome and best insulated Braided Wire
manufactured.
PAINTED, PARAFFINE or SHELLAC WIRES
also furnished atjthe lowest prices. Iron or Compound Wires
covered upon reasonable terms.
We are also prepared to furnish a new style of
ELECTRIC CORDAGE,
which has been pronounced by all superior to any in the market.
The American District and Gold and Stock Telegraph Com-
panies have been supplied from my works with a greater
portion of the office wire used by them.
J8S* Sample Card and Price List furnished when requested.
Phillips' Wire can be had of
L. G. Tillotson & Co New York.
Charles T. Chester.. : "
F. L. Pope & Co "
W. Hockhausen "
Patrick Bunnell & Co Philadelphia.
Watts & Co Baltimore.
Charles Williams, Jr Boston.
Thomas Hall "
George H. Bliss & Co Chicago.
General Superintendent's Office,
American District Telegraph Co.,
New York, January 1st, 1874.
E. F. Phillips, Esq.
Dear Sir: Your office wire is a decided success. We have
used it exclusively for two years and consider it the best in the
market.
Respectfully,
W. H. SAWYER, Gen'l Sup't .
w
ESTERN ELECTRIC MANUFACTUR-
ING COMPANY.
No. 220 KINZIE STREET, CHICAGO.
TELEGRAPH, WIRES, INSTRUMENTS,
BATTERIES, TOOLS,
INSULATORS and SUPPLIES.
Annunciators for Hotels, Steamships, Dwellings.
Our Annunciators are the most extensively used and the most
perfect in operation.
Automatic Mercury Fire Alarm, for Hotels, Steam-
ships, Public Buildings.
Five years' operation have proved its merits.
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
HAMBLET'S ELE0TR0-MAGNETI0 WATCH CLOCKS ASD
TIME DIALS.
Western Electric M'f'g Co., Chicago.
TELEGRAPH WIRE, Numbers 8, 9 and 12.
UNION BRAND, AND
UNION BRAND EXTRA QUALITY.
JOHNSON'S WIRE.
BROOKS' INSULATORS, GLASS INSULA-
TORS and BRACKETS.
KENOSHA INSULATORS, all kinds.
PAINTED CROSS-ARMS.
KENOSHA CROSS-ARMS.
OFFICE WIRE, many varieties.
COPPER & COMPOUND KERITE WIRE.
CABLES TO ORDER.
Western Electric M'f'g Co., Chicago.
TEROME REDDING & CO.,
30 HANOVER STREET, BOSTON,
MAKUFACTURERS AND DEALERS IK
Electrical and Telepjl Instruments.
A FULL ASSORTMENT OF TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
CONSTANTLY ON HAND.
Telegraph, Magnet, Office, and other insulated Wires,
INSULATORS, BRACKETS.
PATENT ELECTRIC WATCH-CLOCK
THE BEST IK USE.
ELE0TRI0 BELLS AND ANNUNCIATORS,
At prices which defy competition.
Batteries of Every Description,
At unusually low prices.
Battery Carbons all sizes, with Improved Connection
Medical Batteries from $4 Upwards.
vizl . goo&s yr^mitciJviJES) fjusi czttss
AND PRICES EXTREMELY LOW.
SEND FOR PRICE LIST.
January 24, 1814.]
THE TELEGRAPHER
in
P
ANIC PRICES.
OUR PROFITS HAVING BEEN AMPLE,
WE OFFER OUR CUSTOMERS THE
BENEFITS OF THE RECENT
REDUCTION
IN THE COST OF LABOR AND MATERIAL.
ALL WHO NEED
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS and SUPPLIES,
IK
Large or Small Quantities,
WILL CONSULT THEIR OWN INTERESTS BY PURCHASING
FROM US.
SEND FOR OUR NEW PRICE LIST.
A Special Discount given on Cash Purchases.
GEO. H BLISS & CO.,
41 THIRD AVENUE,
Chicago, 111.
G
i EO . H. BLISS & CO
41 THIRD ATETtTJE,
Chicago, III.
WHOCHHAUSEN,
• Manufacturer of
ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS,
132 WILLIAM STREET (rear),
Between Fulton and John Streets, NEW YORK.
TELEGRAPHIC, ELECTRICAL AND MEDICAL APPARATUS.
Agents for KIDDER'S MEDICAL APPARATUS.
•< AMERICAN COMPOUND WIRE.
" JONE8' LOCK SWITCH BOARD.
" " ROBERTSON'S BATTERY INSULATOR.
•' HILL'S GRAVITY BATTERY.
" HILL'S HOTEL ANNDNCIATOR ana FIRE ALARM.
" MoPHERSON'S IRON BATTERY.
•' •• THE AMATEUR TELEGRAPH APPARATUS.
.. PUTT'S MECHANICAL INSTRUMENTS.
" KENOSHA INSULATOR.
" BROOKS'
u UNITED STATES ELECTRIC GAS LIGHTING COM-
PANY.
" .. poPE'8 RAILWAY SIGNALS.
" " EAGLES METALLIC (RESERVOIR) BATTERY.
" " SELDEN'S PRINTERS.
" " ANDERS' MAGNETIC DIAL AND PRINTER.
IMPROVED AMATEUR SOUNDERS.
AN EXTRA FINISHED AND GOOD WORKING SOUNDER,
No. 3 $4 00
A WELL FINISHED AND GOOD WORKING 80UNDER,
No. 4 3 00
A WELL FINISHED AND GOOD WORKING KEY, No. 4. 4 00
Instruments, Lins Material, Office Wire, Magnet Wire, Tools,
Battery Material, Chemicals, Books, Stationery,
constantly on hand.
CtS- Special attention given to REPAIRS and MODEL WORK.
rpjJE BEST TELEGRAPH MATERIAL
■*• IN THE WORLD
One half of actual size
ELECTRIC BELL,
PATENT SELF-CLOSING KEY,
(Patented October 27, 1873.)
Price $5 50
The lever of this Key swings in two directions, vertical and
horizontal. A spring presses it against an adjustable contact
point on right hand side.
In sending with this key take hold of the knob and move to the
left, this opens the circuit, then operate in the ordinary way. As
soon as released the lever swings back against side contact point,
closing the circuit.
The Platina Points are large and hard.
Self-Starting Register, of new design, protected by a Glass
Shade, complete, with Paper Reel and Weiyht. .$50 00
Sounders, from 4 60 to $6 50
Electric Bells, single stroke or continuous ringing,
trom 5 00 to 8 00
Relays, from 9 50 to 16 00
Improved Switch Keys, from 3 00 to 5 50
Send for Illustrated Circulars.
The above may also be had of F. L. POPE h CO., 38 Vesey street,
New York, at Manufacturer's prices.
L
ECLANCHE BATTERIES.
CAUTION.
All persons are hereby notified that Batteries infringing upon
our patents are in the market (some of them nearly worthless).
The public are warned against using any such infringements, as
in every case the guilty parties will oe prosecuted to the fullest
extent of the law. The genuine Batteries have the words " Pile
Leclanche " on the carbons and glasses. Any information con-
cerning such infringements will be thankfully received by the
Leclanche Battery Co.,
.Yo. 4.0 West fSth Street.
New York, October 11, 1873.
rpILLOTSON'S EXCELSIOR
1 TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT.
(PATENTED JUNE 24, 1873.)
Th is apparatus is constructed of the best material, and finished
equal to any Telegraph Instrument, and is warranted first class
in every particular. It is especially adapted to the require-
ments of Students of Telegraphy and the operation of Private
Telegraph Lines.
Price, complete, Bounder and Key mounted on finely
finished Mahogany Base, with one Cell Hill's Patent
Battery, with Chemicals, eight feet of Office Wire, and
'■ Smith's Manual of Telegraphy" $7 50
Two sets 14 50
Price of Sounder and Key only 6 50
" with Out Out and Lightning
A rresiter attached 7 50
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
No. 8 I>EY STREET, N. Y.
IS SUPPLIED BY
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
8 Dey Street, New York,
MANUFAOTUKERS, DEALERS and IMPORTERS
OF
TELEGRAPH MACHINERY, SUPPLIES
AND
Line Equipment of every Description
MATERIAL. AND INSTRUMENTS
always on hand, for the equipment of lines of any length, at a
moment's notice.
We furnish first class goods at low prices. Liberal arrange-
ments made with Superintendents, Contractors and Builders
of Telegraph Lines.
Registers $38 00 to $45 00
Spring Registers 47 50
Relays •• 14 00 to 18 00
Sounders 3 50 to 7 50
Keys 4 00to 6 50
Main Line Sounders 14 00 to 18 00
Combination Sets 20 00 to 30 00
Galvanometers, $7 00 upward.
RATTLER TELEGRAPH SOUNDER, $3.50.
POCKET INSTRUMENTS, Nickel Plated, in Hard Rubber
Cases, 11x2x5 inches.
CUT-OUTS, Plug, Peg or Button, with or without Lightning
Arresters, for one, two or more Lines.
JONES' PATENT LOCK SWITCHES, the best and cheapest in
use, with or without Lightning Arresters.
PEG or PIN, CULGAN, REPEATING, GROUND, LOCAL,
BATTERY and SINGLE BUTTON SWITCHES.
LIGHTNING ARRESTERS for any number of wires, of most
approved patterns.
ELECTRO-MAGNETS,
PERMANENT MAGNETS,
APPARATUS for STUDENTS and
AMATEUR TELEGRAPHERS
ELECTRIC MOTORS,
PRINTING and DIAL
INSTRUMENTS,
ELECTRICAL ANNUNCIATORS,
FIRE and BURGLAR ALARMS,
ELECTRO-MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS.
RHUMKORFF COILS, from }£ to 10 inch spark.
GEISSLER'S TUBES, from $1.00 upwards
ELECTRICAL CALL AND ALARM BELLS in great variety,
from $6.50 upward.
INSTRUMENTS furnished Nickel Plated at 20 per cent, ad-
vance on List Price.
OFFICE WIRES, from 80c. to $1.25 per pound.
GUTTA-PERCHA COVERED WIRES, all sizes.
BISHOP'S NEW COMPOUND COVERED WIRE, for running
into offices, 4c. per foot.
MAGNET WIRES, in Silk and Cotton, at Factory prices.
INSULATED WIRES for speoial purposes made to order.
SILK COVERED SWITCH CORD, one, two or more conductors.
PATENT MESSAGE HOOKS, the best ever introduced, prices
65c. and 75c. per dozen.
MANIFOLD PAPER and AGATE STYLUS at bottom prices.
CABLES AND SUBMARINE WIRES.
REPAIRERS' TOOLS AND TOOL BAGS.
GLASS AND RUBBER WINDOW TUBES.
KENOSHA AND OTHER INSULATORS
OF EVERY DESCRIPTION.
BRACKETS, PINS AND SPIKES.
HILL, CALLAUD, GROVE, BUNSEN, CARBON, DANIELL8.
LECLANCHE, NITRO-CHROMIO AND OTHER
STYLES OF BATTERY IN ANY
QUANTITIES.
PURE CHEMICALS AT LOWEST PRICES.
SULPHATE OF COPPER A SPECIALTY, AND PRICES VER\
LOW.
CARBON PLATES made to order for Grenil, Smee, Stohrer and
other Batteries.
OFFICE FIXTURES AND BATTERY UTENSILS OF EVERY
DESCRIPTION.
"Smith's Manual of Telegraphy," ... - 30 cents.
ALL STANDARD WORKS on ELECTRICITY k TELEGRAPHY.
SOLE AGENTS FOR
RICHARD JOHNSON & NEPHEW'S celebrated LINE WIRE.
Catalogue and 7 1 rice List furnished upon application .
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
8 DEY STREET, NE W YORK.
IT
THE TELEGRAPHER
[January 24, 18U.
A
MERICAN FIRE ALARM AND
POLICE TELEGRAPH.
o
GAME WELL & CO.. Proprietors,
63 BROADWAY. NEW YORK.
jr. W. STOVER,
General Agent and Superintends nt.
L. B. FIRMAN, Chicago, 111.,
General Agent for the West and North- West.
* K. DOWELL, Richmond, Va..
Special Agent for Virginia and North Carolina.
3. A. BREKKER, Augusta, Ga.,
Special Agent for Georgia and South Carolina,
L M. MONkOE, New Canaan, Conn.,
Special Agent for New England,
£L,KOTHIOaL CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE CO.,
San Francisco, Oal.,
Special Agents for California, Oregon and Nevada,
THIS SYSTEM OF
FIRE ALARM & POLICE TELEGRAPH
WITH A CENTRAL OFFICE,
OR
UPON TEE AUTOMATIC PLAN,
Is now In operation in the following Cities, to which reference is
made for evidence of its great
SUPERIORITY, VALUE
AND
UNIFORM RELIABILITY.
muauj, A. Y.,
Alleghany, Pa.,
Boston, Mass.,
Bridgeport, Conn.
Buffalo, N. Y.,
Baltimore, Md.,
Chicago, 111.,
Cincinnati, Ohio,
Columbus, Ohio,
Cambridge, Mass.,
Gharlestown, Mass.,
Covington, Ky., .
Detroit, Mich.,
Dayton, Ohio,
Elizabeth, N. J.,
Fall River, Mass.
Fltchburg, Mass.,
Hartford, Conn.,
Indianapolis, Ind.
Jersey City, N. J.,
Louisville, Ky.,
Lowell, Mass.,
Lawrence, Mass.,
Lynn, Mass.,
Mobile, Ala.,
Montreal, Canada,
Milwaukee, Wis.,
New York City,
New Orleans, La.,
New Bedford, Mass.,
New Haven, Conn.,
Newark, N. J.,
Omaha, Neb.,
Philadelphia, Pa.,
Pittsburg, Pa.,
Portland, Maine,
Peoria, 111.,
Providence, R. I.,
Quebec, L. C,
Rochester, N. Y.,
Richmond, Va.,
St. Louis, Mo.'
St. John, N. B.,
Springfield, Mass.,
San Francisco, Gal.,
Savannah, Ga.,
Syracuse, N. Y.,
Troy, N. Y.,
Taunton, Mass.,
Toledo, Ohio,
Toronto, Canada,
Washington, D. O,
Worcester, Mass.
tne Distinctive Features of these Systems of
Fire Alarm and Police Telegraphs
ABB,
First — Tne Automatic Repeater, through which the
apparatus may be distributed in a combination of circuits, and
the entire system successfully worked, without the constan t per-
sonal attention of either operators or watchmen.
Second — Tlie Automatic Signal Boxes.
Third— Tlie Electro-Mechanical Bell Strikers,
adapted to produce the full tone of the largest church or tower
bells.
Fourth — The Electro-Mechanical Gong Striker,
for hose and engine houses, by means of which the location of
the Are Is instantaneously communicated to the members of
each lire company.
These Features combined form the
Only PtRKCT, COMPLETE and RELIABLE System
OF
FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH
IN THE WORLD.
It w a sufficient vindication of the claims which ar« made by
the Proprietors of these systems of
FIRE ALARM
AND
POLICE TELEGRAPHS,
that they have sustained the test of more than twenty years of
practical use, and that the efforts which have been repeatedly
made to supplant them by other inventions have
COMPLETELY FAILED;
the few Instances in which municipalities have been induced to
adopt other systems having demonstrated their insufficiency
and unreliability, and resulted in their abandonment, and sub-
stitution therefor of the
AMERICAN FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH.
Messrs. 6AMEWELL Si CO. are the owners of the
original FARMER & CHANNING PATENTS, one of the most
important of which has just been extended for seven years, and
during the past seventeen years have spared no expense or effort
to secure Improvements, and the Systems are now cove 3d by
MORE THAN TWENTY PATENTS.
The most important improvement which the Proprietoj s have
adopted and introduced is the
AUTOMATIC SYSTEM,
the Introduction and operation of which involves so litt'.i ex-
pense, compared to the benefit which it confers, that even mwll
communities can profitably adopt and maintain it.
The American System of
FIRE ALAEM AND POLICE TELEGKAPHS
has met with the universal approbation and commendation of
the
People, Municipal Authorities,
AND THE
PRESS'
throughout the UNITED STATES and CANADA.
NO EFFORT, TROUBLE OR EXPENSE
is spared by the Proprietors to obtain and secure ANY POS-
SIBLE IMPROVEMENT which shall increase the
EFFICIENCY,
RELIABILITY and
ECONOMY
of the system. They intend that, as far as possible, it shall be
ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!
The amount of property which has been saved from destruc-
tion, and the number of lives which have been preserved
through the general adoption of this system, throughout the
UNITED STATES and the DOMINION of CANADA,
CANNOT EASILY BE ESTIMATED,
but that. In every community where It has been Introduced for
any considerable length of time, they have been enormous, three
CAN BE NO QUESTION.
The cooperation of TELEfiRAPHErtS in securing its in-
troduction into their localities is cordially invited, and
iheir efforts will be duly appreciated and
compensated.
Any information, desired in regard to the above
system will be cheerfully and promptly furnished
upon application at the office.
A pamphlet, setting forth more fully its advantages and
superiority, has been printed, and will be supplied to Municipal
Authorities and others interested in Fire Alarm and Police Tele-
graphy, upon application as above.
/ CHARLES T. CHESTER,
104 Centre Street,
NEW YORK,
TELEGRAPH ENGINEER,
AND MANDFAOTURER OF
INSTRUMENTS,
BATTERIES,
AND EVERY DESOBIPTION OF
TELEGRAPH SUPPLIES.
BUNNELL'S PATENT REPEATER,
These instruments are now made in two different styles, at
$120 and $135aset,consistingof two Relays, two Sounders, two
Keys and Governor.
JONES' LOCK SWITCH-BOARD,
a most compact and reliable Switch, forming a clean spring-
locked connection between any number of wires, occupying for
each different connection only one square inch of space, and
though made of the largest size, not subject to the warp and
contraction of wood-work.
EXCLUSIVE AGENTS OF
A. GL DAY'S
KERITE,
OB
COMPOUND RUBBER COVERED WIRE
SUBTERRANEAN & MMkl WIRES,
OF THE
HIGHEST INSULATION.
We are now prepared to furnish, after an experience of three
years, an Insulated Wire which can be buried in the earth or
exposed to rain and sun, or to the vapor of acids, without injuiy.
Professor Silliman, who has exposed it to the most destructive
agencies, finds that it remains uninjured in an atmosphere of
ozone, which would destroy gutta-percha In a few hours. It
exceeds glass or any other known substance as a non-conductor
We have made special arrangements to furnish this article
for office purposes at a reduced rate.
ALSO, TO FURNISH
IRON CLAD CABLES,
of the usual size, with KERITE COVER, believing that it will
exceed, in insulation for submarine purposes, ANYTHING
HITHERTO MANUFACTURED.
We shall be happy to furnish estimates for any amount and
size of cable, which will be found to compete with any other
construction, both in quality and price.
We manufacture the Genuine ELEOTROPOION BATTERY,
with Patent Platina Connection, introduced by us eight years
since; also, THE ALPHABETICAL OR DIAL TELEGRAPB,
now extensively used in this and other cities for private lines,
beingeasily and quickly learnedby any one.
We offer for sale, among other novelties, a SOUNDER that
will w Jrk practically with a single Daniell cell, a BATTERY
that does not require to be taken down but once a year, and the
very beat MAIN LINE SOUNDERS made
Our CATALOGUE, embracing a large amount of new matter
and description, is now ready for distribution.
January 24, 1874.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
T>ROOKS' PATENT TELEGRAPH
INSULATOR WORKS,
AND AGENOS FOB THE SAM! OP
Siemens' Universal Galvanometer,
Resistance Coils, Submarine Cables,
AND EVERY VARIETY OF
Electro-Metrical Apparatus Manufactured by Siemens Bros.
DAVID BROOKS, Proprietor,
22 South Twenty-first Street, PHILADELPHIA.
THE PATENT INSULATOR.
This invention was first introduced into public use In 1867,
and now hundreds, without exoeption, attest its perfection as an
Insulator ; also its economy over all others when maintenance is
Included with first cost.
Siemens' Universal Galvanometer.
This instrument for the measurement of ordinary resistances,
such as relays, sounders, conductivity of line wires, insulation,
bo., stands unrivalled for simplicity and correctness, and is now
the standard instrument for such work in all countries.
Siemens' Submarine Gables, Gables for River Cross-
ings of every description,
AND
Insulated Conductors.
These Cables are unexcelled in construction, and can be pro-
cured in less time and at about half the cost of those manufac-
tured in this country.
A SUPERIOR PRINTING TELEGRAPH
INSTRUMENT,
FOR PRIVATE AND SHORT LINES.
Awarded the First Premium— Silver Medal— over all others at
Cincinnati Industrial Exposition, 1872.
The undersigned is now prepared to supply the improved and
■uperior
PRINTING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
manufactured under the patent of Mr. J. E. SELDEN. This
instrument has already been extensively introduced, and has
given complete satisfaction to all who have adopted and used it.
It is simple, reliable, and not liable to get out of order; can be
operated by any person of ordinary intelligence after a few
minutes' instruction and practice.
PRIYATE LINES
constructed in the best and most substantial manner, and on
reasonable terms.
Favorable arrangements will be made with line constructors,
telegraph employes, &c, for the introduction of the Printer.
For further particulars, terms, &c, apply to
MERCHANTS' MANUFACTURING AND
CONSTRUCTION CO.
S. J. BURRELL, Superintendent,
No. 60 BROAD STREET (Rooms 12, 13 & 14).
P. O. BOX 496. '
\ MERICAN COMPOUND
■^*- TELEGRAPH LINE WIRE.
COPPER FOR CONDUCTIVITY.
STEEL FOR STRENGTH.
The superiority of the COMPOUND TELEGRAPH WIRE,
oompared with iron, consists in its licjhtness, reducing by over
fifty per cent, the number of poles and insulators required.
Relative tensilb stbenoth, homogeneity and elasticity— de-
creasing the liability to breakage from cold weather, sleet, etc.
Conductivity— Insuring great improvement in the working of
lines In any condition of the weather.
And in its durability, which greatly exceeds that of the best
galvanized iron wire.
Altogether resulting in a very groat reduction in the cost of
maintaining and working telegraph lfnes, while, at the same
time. Insuring
EFFICIENCY AND RELIABILITY.
AddreBB —
American Compound Telegraph Wire Co.,
ALANSON CART, Treasurer,
No. )t34 West 29th St.,
New Yorh.
M
AGNETO-ELECTRIC ALPHABETICAL
DIAL TELEGRAPH,
RAILROADS, GAS COMPANIES AND PRIVATE BUSI-
NESS PURPOSES GENERALLY.
MANUFACTURED BT
HOWARD WATCH AND CLOCK CO.
E. HOWARD, & CO., Proprietors
J. HAMBLET, Electrician.
OFFICES:
114 TREMONT STREET, BOSTON, Mass.
15 MAIDEN LANE, NEW YORK.
This Instrument is offered to the public as the oldest, most
rapid, and best.
MAGNETO-DIAL. TELEGRAPH
In the world.
It has already been extensively adopted and has invariably
given entire satisfaction.
They also manufacture and put up
THE ELECTRO-MAGNETIC WATCH CLOCK,
whioh is the best watchman's time recorder in the world. Also,
ELECTRIC AND CONTROLLED CLOCKS
of all kinds,
CHRONOGRAPHS,
ASTRONOMICAL CLOCKS,
REGULATORS,
ETC., ETC.,
OF ALL KINDS.
All instruments and work from this establishment guaranteed
to give satisfaction.
F
L. POPE & CO.,
MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS IN
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS AND SUPPLIES
OP
EVERY DESCRIPTION,
38 VESEY STREET, Neti York.
NEW AND SUPERIOR PATTERNS OF
STANDARD TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS.
These Instruments are elegantly designed, thoroughly well
finished, and scientifically adapted to the service required.
RELAYS,
SOUNDERS,
REGISTERS and
KEYS.
In addition to these we furnish all descriptions of tele-
graph MATERIAL AND SUPPLIES, BUCh as
BATTERIES, INSULATED WIRES, CHEMICALS
of all kinds, etc., etc.
THE NONPAREIL TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT.
For Amateurs and Learners, and Short Lines.
GLOBE LTOHTISriXXrO- ^l.R,RESTBK.S-
Bradley's Apparatus for Electrical Measurement.
We are the Agents for the sale of this new and very superior
Instrument for Electrical Measurement.
BRADLEY'S BOX RELAYS AND SOUNDERS.
BRADLEY'S NAKED WIRE HELICES AND MAGNET
SPOOLS,
of any desired size and resistance, will be supplied upon orders
through us, at the Manufacturer's lowest prices.
Also, Agents for
HOCHHAUSEN'S SUPERIOR LOW PRICED TELEGRAPH
INSTRUMENTS.
Sole Agents for the
EAGLES METALLIC GALVANIC BATTERY.
The demand for this Battery la rapidly increasing, and it Is
conceded by all who havo mod it to be the finst and motl Ecnno-
mical Battery, for telegraphic and other purposes, offered to the
public.
Descriptive Circulars and Price List forwardod upon applica-
tion to
F. L. POPE & CO.,
(P. O. Box 5503.)
38 VESEY STREET.
GEO. B. HICKS, (late) Pret't. JOHN E. GARY, Yice-Pret't.
GEO. W. STO0KLY, Sec'y and Treas'r.
TELEGRAPH SUPPLY
AND
MANUFACTURING COMPANY,
CLEVELAND, O.,
MANUFACTURERS OF
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
OE EVERT DESCRIPTION.
Agents and Manufacturers for
THE AMERICAN FIRE ALARM,
GAME WELL & CO., N. Y.
Specialties made of
HICKS' REPEATERS, HICKS' RELAYS,
SURE-CONTACT KEY, "NOVELTY" SOUNDER,
Cheap Instruments for Learners, Amateurs, 4c„
NEW GRAVITY BATTERY,
Hotel and Private House Electric Annunciators,
BURGLAR AND FIRE ALARMS,
Dial and Printing Instruments for Private Telegraph Lines,
CALL BELLS AND ALARM BELLS of every style.
Batteries, Chemicals, Wire, Insulators ,
Supplies, d-e.j <&c.
MODELS nml LIGHT MACHINERY made to order.
PRICE LIST.
Hicks' Repeaters (1873.) $100.09
Hicks' Relays from $12.00 to 18.00
Main Line Sounders " 12.00" 18.00
Local Sounders " 3.50" 8.00
Keys " 3.00" 6.50
Learners' Outfits {complete) " 7.50" 10.00
Dial and Printing Instruments " 75.00 " 225.00
Annunciators, per room " 700 " 12.00
Burglar Alarms " 50.00 " 200.00
Send for Circulars.
GEO. W. STOCKLY,
Sec'y and Treas.,
No. 4 LEADER BUILDING,
CLEVELAND, O.
T>R L. BRADLEY,
No. 9 Exchange Place,
JERSEY CITY, N. J.,
Has discontinued the manufacture of Telegraph Instruments, and
is now giving special attention to the manufacture of his
UNIVERSAL APPARATUS
FOR
Electric Measurement,
Which consists of his Tangent Galvanometer and his Rheostat as
they have been recently improved, which, taken separately or
unitedly, constitute a means for correctly determining the resist-
ance of all conductors of electricity ; the resistance and insulation
of telegraph wires; the location of breaks, faults, crosses, Ac; the
relative specific resistance and conductivity of metals and other
conducting materials; the resistance and electro motive force of
batteries; as well as the strength, quantity, or electro-chemical
equivalence of all currents of dinamic electricity. The capacities
of all other instruments for similar purposes combined, are em-
braced in this one. Its measurements aro accurate and absolute,
and are easily read off in British Association units, without the
necessity of arithmetical calculations. It. packs In a case seven
inohes deep and nine inches diameter, with a handled strap, con-
venient for safe transportation. Considering the wide range of its
capacity, it is cheaper than any other Instruments.
Price of apparatus complete, is $200 to $280, according to style,
&c. Price, Tangent Galvanometers, $40 to $60.
Doscriptivo pamphlets may be had on application.
IIo also pays special attention to the manufacture of hi*
CELEBRATED HELICES
WHICH ARK Olf
Naked Copper Wire,
Bo wound that the convolutions are separated from each other by
a regular and uniform space of the 1 -800th of an inch, the layers
separated by thin paper. In Helices of silk insulated wire, the
spaco occupied by the silk is the 1 150th to Ihe l-800th of an inch;
therefore a spool made of a given length and size of naked wire
will lie smaller and will contain many more convolutions around
the core than one of BHk insulated wire, and will make a propor-
tlonably stronger magnet, while the resistance will be the same.
These Helices lire now offered for the use ot manufneturerfiof
Telegraphic and Electrical apparatus, and orders will h» tmti
promptly and on reasonable terms.
V!
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[January 24, 1814.
*HE PERFECT BATTERY.
CLEANLINESS. CONSTANCY. ECONOMY.
LOOKWOOD BATTEET,
PATENTED APRIL 8, 1873,
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO,, Sole Agents,
No. 8 Dey Street, N. Y.
This Battery has bfen iu extended practical use for more than
a year, and is now acknowledged by leading Electricians
in tljjs country and Europe to be
EAR SUPERIOR TO ALL OTHERS
for telegraphic purpcsts, or closed circuits of any description.
This Battery received the FIRST PREMIUM oyer
all competitdrs for
POWER, DURABILITY AND ECONOMY
AT THE
CINCINNATI INDUSTRIAL EXPOSITION OF 1871.
The size shown in the cut (No. 2), when charged with 5 lbs.
sulphate of copper per cell, is capable of working two or three
main circuits of average length for MORE THAN ONE YEAR,
without ant attention whatever. The copper a*nd •zinc solu-
tions are perfectly separated, and there is
NO LOCAL ACTION,
and the circuit is absolutely uniform at all times. It is
equally well adapted for a
LOCAL BATTERY,
or for any purpose requiring a uniform, powerful and constant
current.
The number 2 size (price $2.50) is now ready for sale Other
styles are in preparation, and will soon be put on the market.
Send for Circular.
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.
8 Dey Street, New York,
S O X_i E AGE1STTS.
New York, Oct., 1873.
We have appointed Messrs. L. G. Tillotson & Co. Sole Agents
for the sale of the Lockwood Battery.
LOCKWOOD BATTERY CO.
W. H. Sawyer, Secretary.
ON'S PATENT PENCIL HOLDER,
TTTATTS & COMPANY,
41 Holliday Street,
BALTIMORE^
MANUFACTURERS OF
ELECTRICAL AND TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
AND
Material of Every Description,
RELAYS, KEYS, SOUNDERS, COMBINATION SETS, k, k
Nickel Plated Goods a Specialty.
A VERY SUPERIOR MAIN LINE SOUNDER;
ENTIRELY NEW.
SOLE MANUFACTURERS OF THE
PATENT CIRCUIT-CLOSER KEY,
Which has met with marked success.
"SAVE THE PIECES."
This HOLDER is intended to save the last half or third of the
pencil.
DIRECTIONS.
When the pencil becomes too short to write with comfortably,
shave down the butt and screw into the Holder. The screw
makes its own thread, and will hold the pencil perfectly firm.
Price, 25 cents each.
Sent by mail on receipt of price.
Price per doz., $1,80.
Agents for towns, and counties wanted.
GEO. H. BLISS & CO., G-en'l Agents,
41 Third ave., Chicago, 111.
Price, $5.50 plain ; $7 nickel plated.
The following is from a competent judge, written after some
weeks' trial. •
145 Broadway, New York, )
Sept. 22d, 1873. )
Dear Sir— Your circuit-closing attachment on the key, left
with me for trial, is pronounced by all who have used it a de-
cided and much needed improvement on the common form.
Respectfully,
A. S. Brown, Manager.
The Best Form of Battery Insulator Offered.
SIMPLE AND PERFECT.
Made of porcelain, handsome in appearanco. Occcupies little
more space than the cell it supports. Each cell of battery com-
pletely isolated. Leakage is reduced to the minimum by the
use of it.
General Superintendent Van Horn, Southern Division W. U.
Tel. Co., writes of it :
" We have now in use a thousand or fifteen hundred of your
battery insulators, and expect to order many more before the
close of the year.
We have never used any battery insulator that equals it in
any respect. In fact, it appears to be as near perfect as we can
reasonably expect, in a contrivance for that purpose."
Price 40 Cents.
We offer a very excellent article of Galvanized Wire, superior
to any in the market. The linemen on Baltimore and Ohio R.
R. say they have never seen its equal for toughness and
flexibility.
Special attention given to building.
Estimates given for any amount of material for telegraph
construction or extension.
SWITCHES, GALVANOMETERS, RESISTANCE COILS,
&c, to order.
Designs for Switch Boards for special service furnished.
SCOTT'S PATENT ANNUNCIATOR,
for Hotels and Residences.
ARTRIOK, BUNNELL & OO.'S
CHAMPION LEARNERS
SHORT LINE TELEGRAPH APPARATUS,
A GREAT IMPROVEMENT
over all Instruments of the kind ever offered for this purpose,
consisting of a
No. 1 SOUNDER AND KEY COMBINATION SET,
AN EXCELLENT BOOK OP PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION IN
TELEGRAPHY,
OFFICE WIRE, CHEMICALS, etc.,
making a complete arrangement for one office.
The Instruments are full sized, complete in every respect. The
Battery is a full sized first class Callaud cell, and the entire outfit
has nothing a bout it which in any way resembles the many wretched
affairs which have been extensively sold as Learners' Apparatus.
Great numbers of our " Champion Instruments" are in use
upon short private lines, and upon City wires of Telegraph
Companies, where they are giving the greatest satisfaction, on
account of their very substantial make and exceUent working
qualities.
We guarantee them to be in every respect better than any form of
Learners' Apparatus or Short Line Instruments ever offered to the
public.
Price of Apparatus, complete, with Book of Instructions,
Battery, Wire, and all necessary materials for one complete office
outfit, ready for shipment, sent C. O. D., $10— or, if money order
sent for the amount, $9.50. The latter plan will additionally save
the purchaser the express charges for the return of money.
Price of Single Instrument, good for one mile or less, with-
out Battery $8 50
Ornamental style ditto, with rubber covered coils, without
Battery 10 00
Single Instrument, good lor working a line from one to
twelve miles 9 50
Ditto, ornamental, with rubber covered coils 11 00
Battery, per cell 1 50
PAETRICK, BUNNELL & 00,,
38 SOUTH FOURTH ST., PHILADELPHIA,
MANUFACTURERS OF
TELEGRAPH & ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS
and Supplies of every description.
Vol. X.
JVew York, Saturday, January 31, 187 If.
Whole JVo. 394
|^HARLES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
^ 109 COURT STREET, BOSTON, MASS.,
MANUFACTURER OF
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
OF ALL KINDS.
GALVANIC BATTERIES,
JONES' PATENT LOCK SWITCH,
PATENT "ELECTRIC GONGS,
PRINTING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS.
ALSO, ON HAND AND FOR SALE,
D. W. PUTT & CO.'S Mechanical Telegraph
Instruments,
u Pope's Modern Practice of the Electric Telegraph,"
AND A FULL ASSORTMENT OF
TELEGRAPH MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES,
AT THE LOWEST PRICES.
/CANADIAN TELEGRAPH- SUPPLY
MANUFACTURING COMPANY,
MANUFACTURERS OF
All kinds of . Electrical Instruments
AND
TELEGRAPH SUPPLIES.
AH orders promptly filled, at reasonable prices.
Office and Factory,
3B2 and 354 KING STREET, WEST,
Toronto, Ont.
-NOVELTY!
A SOUNDER of Entirely New Construction,
which gives with the usual amount of battery a very heavy and
clear sound.
Size for Regular Offices $5 00
Small Size 3 50
Learners' Outfits, with small size Sounder, Key,
Battery, Chemicals, Wire, Instruction Book, &c,
all complete 7 60
Send for Circular.
TELEGRAPH SUPPLY AND M'F'G 00.,
J^o, 4 Leader Building,
CLEVELAND, O.
/CHARLES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
^■^ (established 1856.)
109 Court Street, Boston,
has for sale the various kinds of Office and Magnet Wires, in-
cluding Cotton Covered, Silk, Gutta Percha, Painted, Fancy, and
DAY'S KERITE COVERED WIRE.
COVERED WIRES,
Made from Lake Superior Copper, warranted strictly
pure, covered with Hemp, Flax, Linen, Cotton, Silk or other
material, for Telegraph Instruments, Electro-Magnetic Machines,
Philosophical Apparatus, and all kinds of Electrical Purposes.
Also. PLAINS WOVEN, ENAMELLED, SHELLACED,
PARAFFINED, and all kinds of
TELEGrKAPH OFFICE WIRES.
Also, Telegraph Switch Cords,
many Patterns, Plain, Woven and Braided. Parties being partial
to' any particular kind need only enclose a small specimen In a
letter and it can be imitated in every particular.
CONDUCTING CORDS, POLE CORDS, TINSEL.
C. THOMPSON,
(Successor to Josiah B. Thompson,)
29 JVorth 20th St., Thila., Ta.
JOSEPH MOORE & SONS,
(Established 1820,)
535 *B 537 CHINA STREET^
(Below Green St.,) PHILADELPHIA, Pa.,
MANUFACTURERS OF
INSULATED WIRES.
OFFICE WIRE— Plain, Braided, Prepared, &c.
INSTRUMENT WIRE— Cotton and Silk Covered, &c.
FLEXIBLE CORDS, all kinds, &c, &c.
We warrant all Wire to be of the highest conductivity, tested
by our Galvanometer, which compares with the tests of the
highest authority in this country.
R
EDUCTION OF PRICES.
POPULAR, EXCELLENT and ECONOMICAL
THE NONPAREIL
TELEGRAPH APPARATUS,
For AMATEURS, STUDENTS and SHORT LINES.
Since the introduction of this Pioneer Low Priced Telegraph In-
strument, a little over a year and a half since, nearly 2,000
have been sold, and they are constantly more and moro sought
after.
Hereafter we shall furnish them at the following popular rates:
Single Instruments, including Three Cells Battery, Con-
necting Wire, Chemicals and Instruction Book $6 60
Two sets of Instruments, elc 12 00
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
P. L. POPE & CO.,
[P.O. Box 5503.] 38 Veney Street, N. Y.
T
ELEGRAPH POLES
Parties who are in want of good
CEDAR TELEGRAPH POLES,
can obtain them on favorable terms, and have them delivered
at any Lake Port between Oswego and Chicago, on the
opening of Navigation, by applying to
A. A. COLBY,
P. O. Box 1,376. TORONTO, ONTARIO,
CANADA.
A NEW GALVANIC BATTERY.
Durability, Efficiency, and Economy of Expense
and Labor at last Secured.
THE EAGLES METALLIC BATTEET.
PATENT APPLIED FOR.
The undersigned having secured the exclusive Agency for the
manufacture and sale of the
EAGLES METALLIC BATTERY,
now offer them to the public as the best Battery for Telegraphic
and other purposes yet devised.
The Battery cell is made of lead, and forms one pole of the
battery. Sulphate of copper is the only chemical required to be
used.
These Batteries have been fully tested during the last year,
although only recently offered for sale, and have proved to be
superior to any other as regards efficiency, economy and dura-
bility. When once set up they require no attention for from
four to six months, according to the service required of them.
Two sizes are made at present, but others will soon be ready.
No. 1 is a large square cell, and can be used as a local or for
running motors. Price, $2.25.
On Locals, one No. 1 cell is used in place of two Danielle, at 4
saving of nearly one half in cost.
No. 2 is a round cell, designed for main line. Price, (2.
Descriptive circulars and price list forwarded upon applica-
tion to
F. L. POPE & CO.,
(P. O. Box 5503.)
38 VESEY STREET, N. T.
CALLAUD BATTERIES
KEPT ON HAND. AND ORDERS FILLED BY
W. MITCHELL M°ALLISTER,
728 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia,
CHARLES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
109 Court Street, Boston,
AND BY THE
WESTERN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING: CO..
AGENTS FOR THE UNITED STATES,
220 East Kinzie Street, Chicago, III.
WALLACE & SONS,
MANUFACTURERS of
BRASS, COPPER & GERMAN SILVER WIRE.
Also. BRASS. COPPER and GERMAN SILVER,
in the Roll and Sheet.
We make the manufacture of Elocti'ic Wire a specialty —
especially the finer sizes of Copper for conduction, and German
Silver for resistance purposes— guaranteeing the conductivity of
the same in every iustance to be superior to that of any other
manufacturer in the market.
WAREHOUSE,
89 Chamber Street, X. Y %
MANUFACTORY,
A»soiii:i, Conn.
11
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[January 31, 18?4.
A LEXANDER L. HAYES,
Late Assistant Examiner of Electrical and Telegraphic Apparatus,
TJ. S. Patent Office),
SOLICITOR OF PATENTS,
No. 17 PEMBERTON SQUARE,
{Room 12,)
BOSTON, MASS.
s
ECURITY MESSAGE HOOK.
PATENT APPLIED FOB.
The damage from the loss of a single message will equip a line
many times with our new Hoot, which gives great security.
Price 30 cents each.
" perdozen $3.00.
Liberal terms to the trade.
GEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
41 Third Avenue, Chicago, HI.,
General Agents.
s
ECOND-HAND RELAYS.
A large lot of well polished and good working Relays for sale
Tery cheap ; also, several sets of
SICKS REPEATERS,
in perfect order, at a nominal price.
CEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
41 THIRD AVE., Chicago, 111.
R
USSELLS' AMERICAN
STEAM PRINTING HOUSE
¥7, 19, 21, 23 ROSE STEEET, near FEAKKFOET,
NEW YORK,
EXECUTES ALL DESCRIPTIONS OF
BOOK, JOB AND COMMEECLAL PEJJTIEG.
TELEGRAPH PRINTING A SPECIALTY.
rpHOS. CHALMERS' SONS,
*^ MANTJFACTTJEERS op
ELECTRIC ANNUNCIATORS,
POB
HOTELS, DWELLINGS, STEAMSHIP!?, YAGHTS,
etc., etc,
AND ALL KINDS OF
ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS,
BELLS, BATTERIES, WIRE, etc.,
BURGLAR ALARMS, FIRE ALARMS,
79 VARICK STEEET, MEW YORK.
A HAND-BOOK OF PRACTICAL TELE-
GRAPHY.
By R. S. CULLEY,
ENGINEER TO THE
ELECTRIC AND INTERNATIONAL
TELEGEAPH COMPANY.
Published with the sanction ot the Chairman and Directors of
the Electric and International Telegraph Company, and adopted
by the Department of Telegraphs for India.
FOURTH EDITION,
REVISED AND ENLARGED,
vol. 8vo, cloth $5 00.
Copies sent free by mail on receipt of price.
My new Catalogue of American and Foreign Scientific Books
eighty pages, 8vo, sent to any addiess on receipt of ten cents. '
D, VAN NOSTKAND, Publisher,
23 MURRA Y STREET, N. Y.
HPHE AMATEUR'S
TELEGRAPH APPARATUS.
(Patented April 16th, 1872.)
This is a bona fide Telegraph Instrument, with a full sized
Trunnion Lever Key, with Friction Circuit Closer and a Pony
Sounder, both on same base.
The Battery used is Hill's Patent Gravity Battery, the most
constant and economical in use.
With each Instrument is furnished
ONE CUP OF BATTERY,
TWO YARDS OFFICE WIRE,
ONE PACKAGE BLUE VITRIOL,
ONE PACKAGE SULPHATE ZINC,
and a "Manual of the Telegraph," for the instruction of be-
ginners. This is a sufficient outfit for the student.
In operating a short line there will only be required, in
addition to the above, more cups of battery, according to the
length of line.
:<§>:
■A COMPLETE OUTFIT FOR A TELEGRAPH OFFICE,
©even Dollars and Fifty Cents.
Two Sets, complete '. $14 50
Sounder and Key only 6 60
" " with Cut-out and Lightning Arrester. .. 7 50
We will pay expressage on Amateur Outfits when price is
remitted in Advance.
GEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
SOLE AGENTS,
41 THIRD ATENVE,
Chicago, III.
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
HAFPNER'S
TELEGRAPH MANUAL.
TO TELEGRAPHISTS.
I am now revising my ■' TELEGKAPH MANUAL," and desire
to make the work complete in its description of the present
state of
TELEGRAPHIC SCIENCE AND ART.
There are some Six Hundred and Twenty-five Illustra-
tions in the Edition of 1859, and the present coming Edition will
contain at least One Thousand, descriptive of the latest
improvements.
At present it is my design to issue two Volumes, containing
about 600 pages each, separating the Historical from the Ope-
rative.
I will thank any one for information suitable for such a work.
Would like drawings and description of apparatuses.
Respectfully,
TAL. P. SHAFFNEE,
78 and 80 Broadway^
NEW YORK.
TI/TODERN PRACTICE OF THE ELEC-
™*- TRIO TELEGRAPH.
A HAND-BOOK
FOB
ELECTRICIANS AND OPERATORS.
By FRANK L. POPE.
Seventh Edition, Revised and Enlarged by the addition of 40
pages of New Matter on
RECENT IMPROVEMENTS,
AND
FULLY ILLUSTRATED.
8vo, cloth, $3.00
4®- Copies sent free by mail on receipt of price.
My new Catalogue of American and Foreign Scientific Books
sent per mail, on receipt of ten cents.
D. VAN NOSTRAND, Publisher,
23 MURRA Y STREET and 27 WARREN STREET.
rpHE BISHOP GUTTA PERCHA WORKS,
422, 424,-426 EAST 25th ST., N. Y.
S. BISHOP, Proprietor,
ONLY MANUFAOTUKKK
OF
PURE GUTTA PERCHA GOODS
IN THE
UNITED STATES. ...
=€§«=
Has also on hand, and makes to order,
SUBMARINE CABLES, OEFICE CABLES, AND INSULATE©
WIRES OF EVERY VARIETY,
FOB
TELEGRAPH, UNDERGROUND AND ELECTRIC USE.
Fuse Wires, Leading and Connecting Wires for SUBMARINE
and MININq PURPOSES.
Also, a NEW COMPOUND (thoroughly tested) for underground
and out-door use.
Cotton, Linen, Silk and Fibre covered Wires for
MAGNET AND OFFICE USE,
of any pattern or style.
OFFICE WIRES,
Cotton and Gutta Percha covered, with any number of conductors
required.
Gutta Percha and Cotton covered Wires for HOTEL ANNUN-
CIATORS, ELECTRIC BELLS and BURGLAR ALARMS.
Has on hand and makes to order
SUBMARINE CABLES, INSULATED WIRES, for
' TELEGRAPH AND ELECTRIC USE,
AND FOB,
BLASTING AND MINING PTJItPOSJES,
In every variety desired.
As an Insulation for Telegraph Cables and Electric Conductors
Gutta Percha has been universally adopted by all scientific and
practicalElectriciansand Manufacturers of Telegraph Cables and
Wires in this country and Europe, and has sustained, with In-
creasing superiority in the practical test of over twenty-five
years' general use.
The PROPRIETOR will guarantee, to all parties purchasing
SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH CABLES,
to make and deliver at his Factory any style of Cable. Insulated
with Gutta Percha, as low as they can import Cable of the same
Style and quality, and in half the lime required to import them.
CABLES OF ONE MILE OR LESS manufactured and de-
livered at one week's notice.
ORDERS RECEIVED AT THE FACTORT.
Messrs. L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
8 BEY STREET, NEW YORK,
have been appointed by me GENERAL AGENTS for the sale off
any Telegraph Cable or Wire manufactured at the Works in New
York, at Factory Prices, delivered in New York.
JOHN TH0ENLEY, 503 Chestnut St., Philadelphia,
has been appointed Agent for the sale of any and all goods manu-
facturedby me, at Factory Prices, delivered in New York.
Any Goods manufactured {except Telegraph Goods) are for
sale in New York by
SARGENT & STUDLEY, 26 Park Place,
RUBBER CLOTHING CO., 363 Broadway,
D, H0DGMAN &CQ..27 Maiden Lane,
' SHEPARD & DUDLEY, 150 William St
Address all Communications to
8. BIS HO I»,
OFFICE AT FACTOR!.
January 31, 1871.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
23
The Telegrapher
A Journal of
ELECTRICAL PROGRESS.
J. N. ASHLEY. PUBLISHER.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 1814.
VOL. X.
WHOLE No. 394.
CDriflinal %vtti\t$.
The Elementary Principles of Electrical
Measurement.
By Frank L. Pope.
(Continued from page 13.)
Geometrical representation of the Phenomena of the
Voltaic Circuit.
The mathematical relations which have been
shown to exist between the electro-motive force,
resistance and current in a voltaic circuit, and
wbich are expressed by Ohm's law, may also be
graphically represented to the eye by geometri-
cal projection — a process which often materially
assists the student in forming a correct concep-
tion of a subject.
Let the resistances in any given circuit be laid
off on a horizontal line, A B, figure 3, by means
of a scale of equal parts. In the same manner
let the electro-motive forces be laid off on the
line A C, drawn perpendicular to A B, and let the lat-
ter line also indicate the zero of potential. A battery
of 5 Daniell cells is represented in figure 3, the zinc
and copper plates z and c being represented at such a
distance apart as to correspond to an internal resist-
ance of 2 ohms per cell. Let the total resistance of
the circuit be 20 ohms, wbich will be represented by
the length of the line between A and B. The total
resistance within the battery is shown by the length of
the line A D, and the resistance exterior to the battery
by the length of B D.
Each of the five divisions of the line A C represents
an electro-motive force of 1 volt, which, in this case,
we will assume to be exactly equal to that of 1 cell,
the total electro-motive force included in the circuit
being 5 volts.
"We have then in figure 3 a battery of 5 cells,
each cell having a resistance of 2 ohms and an
electro-motive force of 1 volt, and the copper pole
(if this battery is connected to an insulated con-
ductor, B D, having a resistance of 10 ohms.
Now, let us suppose that the zinc or negative
pole of the battery is connected to the earth at A,
and that the opposite end of the conductor at B
is insulated, or, in telegraphic parlance, "left
open." In order to represent the difference of
potential at every point of an open circuit, such
as that under consideration, we must construct a
line which may be termed the line of potential.
perpendicular height of such a line above the line A B,
at any point, will indicate a corresponding difference
of potential between that point and the line. In the
present case this will be a positive potential.
As the first zinc plate at A is connected directly
with the earth, which is assumed to be the zero of
potential, as we have already explained, its potential
must also be zero. But the first cell contains an
electro-motive force equal to 1 volt, which we will, for
convenience, assume to be situated at the junction be-
tween the zinc plate and the solution in which it is
immersed. As will be seen by the dotted line in the
figure, at each junction of the zinc with the liquid the
potential rises i volt, attaining in the fifth cell a poten-
tial of 5 volts. But the whole of a perfectly insulated
conductor, whatever may be its length, acquires the
same potential as the pole of the battery to which it
is attached, and, therefore, the potential of the line B
T) is equal throughout.
Next, let us take the same battery and conductor,
and connect the end of the conductor B to the earth
also, the latter, of course, having no appreciable resist-
ance. The distribution of potentials throughout the
whole system is now changed, and becomes as shown
in figure 4.
Both ends of the circuit have now a potential of zero,
and the potential decreases regularly from the last cell
of battery at D to the earth connection at B. It will
be seen that the potential line falls or decreases within
the cells of the battery just as it does on the line. The
steepness of this line represents what Ohm termed
the electric fall. The degree of steepness represents
accurately the strength of current in the circuit. If
the units of resistance in A B, and of electro-motive
force in A C, are laid off to the same scale, as is the
case in the above diagrams, a current of 1 farad per
second would be represented by a line of potential j
leaving an inclination of 45°. It really has an inclina-
tion of just one fourth this, or 11^°, showing that the
current in such a circuit would be one fourth of a farad
per second, which we find by Ohm's law to be the
case, for
E = 5 Cvolts.)
R = 20 (ohms.)
E 5 1
E 20 4 farad (per second).
Figure 5 shows the same battery placed on short
circuit — its poles being connected together by the earth,
a conductor of infinitely small resistance. In this case
the potential rises 1 volt in each cell, as in the two
previous examples, and the maximum potential is
found at the junction of the zinc plate and the solution.
In this case the line of potentials is much steeper, in-
dicating that a much stronger current flows through
the circuit. The inclination is iu fact 22-^°, or twice as
great as before, corresponding to a current of one half
FIG. 3.
a farad per second. As before, we find by Ohm's law
that this ought to be the case, for, we now have
E = 5 (volts.)
R = 10 (ohms.)
E 5 1
and — = — = — farad (per second).
R 10 2
It is proper to state that the best authorities now
consider that the change of potential which denotes
the existence of an electro-motive force, does not
actually take place at the junction of the zinc plate
with the solution, as has usually been supposed, but at
the junction of the metals, between two cells of the
The total amount of heat generated by the oxidation
of a given weight of zinc is always absolutely the same,
and is, therefore, strictly proportional to the current,
or rather the square of the current or quantity of elec-
tricity which traverses the circuit, but it may be dis-
tributed in various proportions between the battery
and the external circuit. These facts were established
by Joule, who carefully collected and measured the
amount of heat developed in a circuit under known
conditions. This method of electrical measurement is
seldom if ever used in practice, as others, hereafter to
be explained, are vastly more convenient.
2. Chemical Decomposition. — When the voltaic cur-
rent traverses a compound liquid conductor instead of
a metallic one, the liquid is in many cases decomposed.
This fact was discovered by Nicholson and Carlisle iu
1800. Faraday devised an apparatus called a volta-
meter, by means of wbich he proved that the quantity
of liquid decomposed in a given time is absolutely in
proportion to the quantity of electricity traversing the.
circuit. The voltameter consists of a graduated tube,
by means of wbich the quantity of gas generated in a
given time is collected and measured. This instrument
is found very useful in certain classes of measure-
ments.
3. Magnetism. — "When the voltaic current tra-
verses a conductor, passing immediately in the
vicinity of. and parallel to a freely suspended
magnetized needle, as of an ordinary compass,
the needle will be deflected, and will tend to
assume a position at right angles to the direc-
tion of the current. This fact was discovered by
(Ersted in 1820. The greater the magnitude of
the current the more nearly will the needle
approach a position at right angles to the con-
ductor. It is found, when proper precautions
are observed, that the angles of deflection of the
needle, under the influence of a voltaic current,
are strictly proportional to the quantity of electricity
passing, and such a needle, therefore, becomes the
most convenient instrument for measuring or com-
paring the strength of different currents.
As the methods of measuring a current by its mag-
netic effects are by far the most generally available
for practical use, the remainder of this treatise will be
confined entirely to their consideration.
\To be continued.]
fiHh
cz cz czv ez o
The
fig. 4.
battery. This is in accordance with what is called the
contact theory of galvanism, the truth of which appears
to have been verified by experiments of a most con-
vincing character.*
Phenomena produced by the Voltaic Circuit.
Having now defined our units of measurement, we
will next consider how they are to be used. "We can
only perform electrical measurements by observing the
effects of the electric current itself. These are ex-
hibited in three different forms, viz., heat, chemical
action and magnetism.
1. Heat. — When the two poles of a voltaic battery
are connected by a thick wire having no sensible re-
sistance, through which the current passes, the wire is
not perceptibly heated. Heat is actually developed
by the oxidatiou of the zinc, but in this case it is con-
fined to the battery itself. If however, we substitute
Cor the thick wire one which .offers considerable resist-
ance to the current, the wire will be heated, and if
properly selected with reference to the quantity of
electricity generated in the battery, may be raised even
to a white heat.
* Fleeraing Jenkin's Electricity and Magnetism, pp. 43 to 48.
[From The Ghost.]
All About Us.
It is a common grievance, among men of all classes
and conditions, all trades and professions, that, period-
ically, some one who has no personal knowledge
of the matter, casts about him for information
concerning their business, and then proceeds to
print, with an amplification depending altogether
upon the fertility of the writer's imagination, his
second hand facts and first hand fancies. Med-
dling with tools of which one does not know
the proper use, and skating on thin ice, are
perilous pastimes. "When the Rev. T. De Witt
Talmage, not content with writing a book, saw
fit to pretend to a knowledge he did not possess,
he consequently came to be thought an ass
by a large class of very intelligent men. "We allude
to the printers, who were offended at his implied
familiarity with their business. He indulged in the
hope, in the preface to his work, that some erring
sister, some faltering brother, etc., might be, through
its influence, won back to a purer life, for then he
should not regret that his manuscript had been caught
up on the sharp teeth of the type. "Whether Mr. Tal-
mage tbaught, because 'types are sometimes placed
in a way that bites, that they have a full set of
incisors, bicuspids and molars, or whether he fancied
that there was something thrilling in the idea of his
manuscript being "chawed up," as there was in reality
about his book being so disposed of on its appearance,
we cannot state, but in any event there is no denying
that the remark was silly and the figure as outrageous
as could possibly have been introduced. And so it
often occurs in treating of other subjects. Our own
business is not often "written up," as the phrase is,
and for that we may be thankful, but when it is we
find ourselves glaringly misrepresented, and our man-
ner of filling our place in the business economy of the
country provokingly disturbed, the same as those of
other professions whose cases arc taken in hand and
disposed of by that regular patron of free lunches —
whose prejudice against clean linen is only equallod by
his predilection for gin cocktails — the " penny-a-liner."
In a New York Sunday paper of Jan. 8th tho ap-
pended brochure occupies a conspicuous place. It will
not bo difficult for tho reader to see whero the writer
reproduces what he has been told, for that is tolerably
correct ; but there is no doubt in our mind that he is
wholly responsible for the flattering information that
the averago telegrapher cannot, for the lifo of him, ex-
plain how the sound of an instrument conveys intelli-
gence. To him, moreover, is certainly attributable the
26
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[January 31, 1814.
cheering statement to those aspiring to take " a first
class position in an office," that one year's practice will
fit them therefor; or, still better, that "plenty of ope-
rators have acquired proficiency in six months ;" pro-
ficiency in swinging open the brass gate, unquestion-
ably ; proficiency in the " cast," " it don't come,"
"write Gerse," etc., phrases; certainly not in working
a wire with care and judgment. "We have not patience
to allude to half the' inaccuracies that appear in the
course of the article ; but we must not close without
referring to the capers of the lightning as it goes flash-
ing from the switch board and caroms on the different
instruments, causing the operators to do the " demon's
dance "fit to grace the most spectacular play. How
familiar that scene has become to us ! How often we
have all tripped the light fantastic under those circum-
stances, and what a hit most of us would make in the
spectacular line ! Listen to the magpie, and see how
you like it:
TELEGRAPHY. — WHERE OPERATORS COME PROM. —
UNNECESSARY DELAYS CAUSED BY THEIR
MULISHNESS, ETC., ETC., ETC.
Telegraphy is a mysterious art to a great majority of
people. Introduce a stranger to the operating room of
an office and the confused rattling of the instruments
strikes upon his untutored ear as a miniature Babel.
It seems to him an impossibility for any one to distin-
guish aught of order in the general din, and yet on
every side he can see the operators, with pen or pencil
in hand, tracing letters', syllables, words and sentences
upon the paper before them with the utmost rapidity
of movement. If he becomes inquisitive, and asks
questions, he will receive little satisfaction, for the
average telegrapher simply knows the fact that the
sound of an instrument conveys intelligence of some
description to him, but for the life of him he cannot
explain how the result is achieved.
To become proficient in the business of telegraphy
requires constant, laborious practice for about three or
four hours a day during the period of about one year.
At the end of that time a candidate who has followed
- this course may be considered capable of taking a first
class position in an office. This is the case with most
men, but of course there are exceptions, and often dis-
appointment attends evtry effort of individuals to mas-
ter the art. Then, again, plenty of operators have
acquired proficiency in six months' hard work, but such
cases are rare.
As a rule, telegraph operators are either village bred
or have graduated from the ranks of the messenger
boys who are employed in every large city office, in
numbers ranging from ten to a hundred. Operators
are, in general, young men, and if their ages were
averaged and compared with those of other professional
men, they would undoubtedly be found to be the most
youthful class. The reason for this can be easily ex-
plained. A boy can become a messenger in a telegraph
• office at the age of twelve years, and after spending
from one to three or four years in this branch of the
business the way is open to promotion. If the boy is
smart, and shows it, he will be taken from the corps of
messengers to fill a vacancv in the operating room.
His duty there is to wait on the operators, remove mes-
sages as they are received, and take -them from the
dummy box as they are sent up from the receiving room
to be sent to other cities. The work is light, and throws
the youngster into the very heart of the business he is
destined to follow. It would be impossible for an
average youth to remain long in such a position without
having his curiosity aroused, and he soon begins to
tinker with the instruments.
At first he is sly about it, and hates to acknowledge
before operators that he is making any efforfeto learn
the business. They find this out, however, without
being told so, and then furnish the tyro with a copy of
the alphabet, with the significance of each letter in
telegraphy, marked by dots ... or dashes ,
alongside. When the "check boy," as he is called,
gets this far along he is bound to progress, and it is a
proud moment to him when he discovers that he is able
to make the letter "A" in a manner pronounced cor-
rect by the operator who is his particular patron. In
three or four days, or, at the outside, a week, the alpha-
bet is mastered. Nearly every new beginner has his
particularly hard letter to overcome. Over that one
letter he will work and puzzle for hours before he is able
to sound it, and when he does do so intelligibly, he has
to keep practicing on it to train his fingers to make it
correctly.
From learning the alphabet the boy begins to form
conjunctions of letters and words, and with every
advance he makes his interest increases, until finally
he neglects no moment of spare time, and, after his
working hours are over, remains in the office rattling
away on a "way wire" instrument, and using up
column after column of newspaper matter. In a very
few weeks his finger joints seem to relax, and he can do
anything with the key, from writing a single paragraph
to playing the " Dead March in Saul." As a rule,
beginners can send at the rate of twenty to thirty words
a minute before they can read a letter of the messages
that come over the wires.
To acquire the nack of distinguishing between the
confusion of noise made by an instrument at work re-
quires long practice. It is by far easier to learn to
send a message than to receive one. Generally, begin-
ners entering upon the second and hardest stage of the
study, practice together. Both students sit at the same
table. No. 1 has one hand on the key and a newspaper
in the other. No. 2 has is ear inclined toward the
" sounder." No. 1 writes the alphabet slowly, letter
by letter. No. 2, if he can catch the letters, repeats
them. If he cannot, at the first attempt, they are re-
peated over and over again until he can read them.
He first attempts to read the letters in regular rotation.
After he succeeds in this they are written by the sen-
der in every way. He writes the alphabet backward,
or begins in the middle. In this way the listener learns
to tell the sound of the letters in themselves, without
reference to other letters. He can tell the sound of
" E " without having " J " sounded before it.
From learning the letters the student soon becomes
able to place them in words. "Words become senten-
ces, and, after a few weeks longer practice, he can
read the messages that come over the wires with great
distinctness. After this result is gained about half the
work is accomplished. Then follows the task of con-
veying to paper the words that he reads in the ticking
of the instrument. This part of the task is the hardest,
and patience and constant practice are absolutely
necessary to success.
Operators' salaries range from $30 to $40 a month up
to $120. The inferior class are never up to the stand-
ard of men fit to fill positions in city offices, and their
employment is obtained in the service of railroad com-
panies, or as holders of branch offices in hotels, etc.,
where business is very slack. In " main" offices, the
hours of labor range at from 8 A. M. to 6 P. M. for day
men, and 6:30 P. M. to the hour of closing for night
men. Night operators are sometimes through work
by eleven or twelve o'clock, but when storms prostrate
the wires, or on occasions when the President's mes-
sage is to be transmitted, they may be kept at work
until six or seven o'clock in the morning.
It is very exciting to be in an operating room during
a thunder storm. The lightning flashes over the wires,
strikes the " switch board," caroms on the different in-
struments in the room, and causes the men to do a
"demon's dance" fit to grace the most sensational
spectacular play. Balls of fire play about the room,
and the flash is accompanied with snapping noises of
the most startling character. On such occasions the
boldest of operators grow alarmed, and often business
is entirely suspended during the prevalence of the
storm.
Telegraph operators learn to cultivate a certain de-
gree of worldliness, or it might be called callousness,
that is born of the business they follow — messages
affecting the most vital interests of the sender ; mes-
sages to save life or to cause death, to enrich or to
bankrupt, pass through their hands by the score every
day. They know a great deal of the secret life of
hundreds of men in this way, and it would be thought
that this very experience would teach them the neces-
sity of attending strictly to their business. That they
do this is true of some, but there are scores of them
who do not regard one message that may come into
their hands of a whit more consequence than another.
Often messages will bo left in the counting room of a
telegraph office, with instructions to the clerk to " rush
it." The message is sent up stairs, the clerk whistles
to the check boy, ' rush this." The check boy tells
the operator to do so, and the operator hangs it on a
hook to rest until he shall have finished the particular
chapter of the novel he is perusing. "When he does
turn his attention to it, lazily enough, the delay may
have reudered it useless in achieving the object de-
sired by the sender, and yet the operator does not feel
that he has violated his duty in any particular.
Suits against telegraph companies for delay in the
transmission of messages have often been brought, and
sometimes successfully. . The more of thein that are
instituted the better for the general public.
want of efficiency in the water wheel would be sure to
consume the other half. Now, it happeus curiously
enough, that there are in common use two methods for
producing dynamic electricity — one being the voltaic
battery and the other any form of mechanical power.
In regard to the latter, it is evident that the same
principle holds true in regard to it that is true when
applied to the water wheel and steam engine above
mentioned. If electricity, which has been produced
by the agency of mechanical power, be applied to the
driving of an electro-motor, the latter can never be
made to give out as much power as has been exerted
by the engine employed to produce that electricity.
In other words, no one could be found so foolish as to
employ a steam engine to produce electricity for the
purpose of operating an electro-motor intended to drive
machinery. It would evidently be vastly more econo-
mical to drive the machinery by means of the engine
itself, without the intervention of any complicated ap-
paratus.
This proposition is so self-evident that it requires no
elaborate demonstration ; but from it follows the very
obvious conclusion that, if by means of the steam en-
gine we can produce electricity more cheaply than we
can by the voltaic battery, then it is evident that the
battery cannot compete with the engine as a source of
power, no matter how perfect may be the electro-
motor through which the energy derived from the bat-
tery is applied. Hitherto it has been claimed that the
only difficulty in the way of applying electricity as a
motive power, consists in the absence of a properly
constructed electro-motor; but if it can be proved that
electricity can be produced more cheaply by means of
steam than by the consumption of zinc, then it is clear
that even a perfect motor — that is to say, one that
utilizes all the electrical energy, and converts it into
mechanical power — cannot enable the battery to com-
pete with steam.
Here, then, is a crucial test which is easily applied.
And we believe that the results already attained do
not leave the question in any doubt. In the case of
the electro-deposition of metals, as well as the produc-
tion of the electric light — two instances in which the
comparison between the engine and the battery may be
made with great accuracy — it has been found that the
engine is the most economical. A fortiori, it should
be far more economical as a source of mechanical
power. — Industrial Monthly.
Can Electricity be Profitably Employed as a
Motive Power?
A New Answer to this Question.
There was recently on exhibition in one of our in-
dustrial expositions a series of pumps, worked by ex-
haust steam, over which was placed the startling an-
nouncement that, by means of them, water might be
raised to a given height in quantity sufficient to drive a
water wheel which would give out more power than
the steam engine itself! . The placard was well cal-
culated to attract attention, but then nobody believed
the statement printed on it, for the simple reason that
no engine, far less the exhaust steam from one, could
ever pump up water enough to drive a wheel which
would give out half the amount of power of the original
motor. The waste in pumping and the loss caused by
The Asiatic Cable.— Cruise of the Tuscarora to
Locate a Route lor the New Cable.— Inter-
view with Commander Belknap.
The United States steamer Tuscarora yesterday
sailed from this port for the Sandwich Islands and
Japan, with the purpose of sounding en route for a
location for the proposed telegraph cable between Asia
and the Pacific coast of the United States.
An interview with Commander Geo. E. Belknap yes-
terday morning elicited some interesting information in
connection with the Asiatic cable enterprise and the
cruise of the Tuscarora, which we here lay before the
readers of The Union. The Tuscarora was detailed for
her present expedition at the suggestion'of Cyrus "W.
Field, the projector and conductor of the great Atlantic
cable enterprise, who is at the head of the Asiatic cable
scheme. The steamer was first ordered to survey
northward for a route through Puget Sound and via
the Aleutian Islands, and pioceeded to carry out the
instructions. Becoming short of coal she returned to
San Francisco, where orders were received to go south-
ward and survey the route from San Diego to the
Sandwich Islands and Japan, returning by the north-
ern route, if possible.
Commander Belknap thinks that the southern route,
with a landing for the cable at San Diego, is by far the
most feasible, and believes that it will in all probability
be adopted.
The northern route to Japan via Aleutian Islands
is beset with difficulties. It would be impossible to
repair any break during the largest part of the year,
there being but four months in which those northern
waters are open to navigation.
A route from San Francisco has apparently not been
thought of. It would be well nigh impracticable to
land a cable in that vicinity on acconut of the rocky
nature of the bottom at that part of the coast.
A line from San Diego via Japan to the Sandwich
Islands is the most practicable ; first, because it would
lie in the " calm belt of the Pacific," and the cable could
be laid down and repaired at any time during the year ;
second, as a connection with the Sandwich Islands is
the evident purpose of the scheme, this line is geogra-
phically the best, the branches to Japan and Australia
being short and of easy access; third, the cable should
connect with an overland wire not subject to inter-
ruption, and by the time the submarine line would be
laid there would be a southern overland line between
San Diego and the east which could be constantly
operated. It is a well known fact that communication
by the existing overland line is constantly interrupted
January 31, 1814.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
27
by storms ; this would never be the case with a line
running eastward via the thirty-second parallel. In
every point of view the advantages of taking the
southern route, and making the landing at San Diego,
are so great that they can hardly be overlooked.
Commander Belknap hopes that he will not find over
three thousand fathoms depth on the survey across. If
a satisfactory result in this respect is reached, he thinks
it will not fail to give the route from San Diego the
preference— everything else being very greatly in favor
of its adoption.
He will suggest that the cable be laid on the south
side of the channel, landing on the Peninsula, from
which point a land line would be built down the Pen-
insula around by way of La Punta and up the bay
shore to San Diego. The shore from the Peninsula
slides off very gradually to deep sea water; the bot-
tom being soft and smooth, in which a cable would
imbed itself by its own weight very readily.— The San
Diego Union. ^ ______
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our
Correspondents. Our columns are open to free discussions
on all Telegraphic subjects, without distinction of person or
opinion.
No notice will be taken of anonymous communications.
Congress and the Telegraph.
"Washington, D. 0., Jan. 28.
To the Editob of The Telegrapher.
Thk discussion before the Senate Committee on Post-
offices and Post-roads of the Hubbard postal telegraph
scheme, so called, was continued on "Wednesday, Thurs-
day and Friday of last week. President Orton, of the
Western Union Telegraph Company, appearing and
arguing at length in opposition thereto.
Mr. Orton concluded his argument on Friday, in
which he maintained the proposition that Congress has
not the right to pass a bill of this character, for the
reason that it would indirectly take private property
for telegraph purposes without just compensation/ and
that the passage of the bill would in fact be a violation
of the contract between the Government and the tele-
graph companies now existing under the provisions of
the Telegraph Act of 1866.
He further argued that if there were no constitutional
objections, or violation of contract, the adoption of the
Hubbard scheme, as contemplated by this bill, would
be impolitic, because it constitutes a partnership be-
tween the Government and a private corporation, to be
conducted by both official and private agencies opera-
ting at the same time, under which there is to be a
division of expenses between the Government and the
company, while any profits that may be realized will
go exclusively to the latter.
It was further contended that, whatever the faults of
the existing telegraph system of this country may be,
the proposed scheme affords for them no adequate
relief. It was shown from official documents and
statistics that the present average rate for messages in
this country is lower than in Europe for like despatches,
and that here the business is conducted without any
expense to the Government, while the annual deficiency
arising from the telegraph service in Europe, raised by
taxation upon the people, whether they used the tele-
graph or not, amounted to several millions of dollars.
Mr. Orton, in reply to the arguments of Mr. Hubbard,
asserted that there was in fact no combination between
the Western Union Company and the Associated Press,
and that all other press combinations are offered by his
company the same terms as the Associated Press, and
that the establishment of a postal telegraph could not
affect the Associated Press combination in any way.
The discussion has not attracted much public atten-
tion, it being conceded that there is no probability that
Congress will take any definite action in regard to tele-
graph matters at this session, and that the Hubbard
scheme especially, in any event, has no possible chance
of success.
It is understood that Mr. Hubbard is to have a fur-
ther hearing, in reply to Mr. Orton's arguments, by the
Committee.
Aside from this matter nothing of telegraphic inter-
est has occurred. Capitol.
♦-.-♦
Telegraph Matters in Oregon.
Albany, Oregon, Jan. 10.
To the Editor op The Telegrapher.
On Jan. 5th, 1874, Mr. F. H. Lamb, who for years
past has been Sup't of the Fourth District, Pacific Divi-
sion of the W. U. Tel. Co., from Portland, Oregon, to
Victoria, B. C, turned the same over to Dr. 0. P. S.
Plummer, Sup't of the Third District from Marysville,
Cal., to Portland, Oregon. Dr. Plummer will in future
have both Districts under his supervision. Mr. Lamb
started East on a visit to the Atlantic States on the
morning of the 6th inst., to be absent a few weeks,
when he will return and take a District (we understand)
with headquarters at Sacramento, Cal.
Dr. Plummer's headquarters have been moved from
Albany, Oregon, to Portland, Oregon.
Mr. F. H. Lamb having resigned, Mr. J. "W. Sweeney
has been appointed Sup't of the Puget Sound Telegraph
Company.
The following are trustees of this company, who are
to serve this year, Messrs. 0. F. Gerrish, D. C. H.
Rothschild, Marshal Blinn, Cyrus Walker and M. Ren-
ton. The Trustees organized by electing 0. F. Gerrish,
President; Cyrus "Walker, Treasurer; and James G.
Swan, Secretary. This is a local line, built between
and connecting' all the ports on Puget Sound, and is
doing a very good business. Headquarters are at
Seattle, W. T. Webfoot.
» . ♦
Importance of the Telegraph "to Railroads, and
Insufficient Compensation to Railroad
Telegraph Operators.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
The late ice deluge gave us a good opportunity to
test the value of the telegraph department in the man-
agement of a great railway. The five wires which ex-
tend along the line of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and
Chicago Road were almost entirely prostrated for a
distance of seventy miles east from Crestline, and the
railway company was deprived of their use thereby
during two days. During those two days the trains
became most hopelessly mixed up and delayed, so that
it required freight trains to put in about twenty-four
hours on fifty miles of road as they jogged along from
one jumble into another. The strike of the locomotive
engineers a few days previously was decidedly mild in
comparison with the trouble caused by the exit of the
telegraph. Everybody was in a tub at sea, without
compass or rudder, simply because the faithful little
clickers were deprived of the power of giving forth
their joyful sound. And yet, while the telegraph is
proven to be a most valuable and indispensable part of
the management of a large railway, and the tele-
graphers the most faithful and attentive in the dis-
charge of their duties, their pay is kept at a rate but
slightly in advance of the track repairers and coal
heavers, who need not know a letter of the alphabet,
or have any of the great responsibility which is at-
tached to him who receives a train order from a rabid
despatcher, the least error in which might consign to
an untimely death scores of valuable lives and cause
the destruction of property worth many thousands of
dollars.
This, and much more fully demonstrates that the
telegraphers, as a class, have just cause to cry out
against the universal oppression with which they are
burdened. Their invaluable services to the public, and
especially to railway companies, coupled with the
enormous load of responsibility under which they con-
tinually labor, and the large number of masters they
are obliged to serve, demands double the compensation
that any of them receive.
A closer union, honorable protection, and a firm de-
mand for just rights, should be the watchword of the
craft everywhere. Magneto.
*-^»
The Remedy for a Sticking Key.
Meaford, Can., Jan. 23d.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
In your issue of the 17th inst. I noticed a remedy
for a sticking key, signed E. M. D., which I have tried,
and am glad to say it has proved a success. I have
been bothered terribly with a sticking key, and can say,
for one, that this remedy alone is worth the amount
paid you for The Telegrapher for one year.
A. Gault, Operator.
++-•
Supply and Demand.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
In opposition to the theory of protection against the
encroachments of capital, which is the corner stone of
most trades unions, it is usually asserted that the law
of supply and demand will regulate the rates of wages,
and I believe you have editorially endorsed this argu-
ment. Iwish to call your attention to the fact that a
combination already exists in certain quarters, the ob-
ject of which is to obstruct the natural demand for
operators, by interposing official influence to prevent
their securing more desirable positions. Among the
young operators who are continually coming upon the
stage, there are many who remain in situations where
they neither have encouragement nor opportunity to
rise, and who toil incessantly year after year, twelve
or fourteen hours per day, at a very moderate compen-
sation. If, perchance, a more agreeablo position is
tendered them, the machinery of the combination I
refer to is immediately put in operation.
It is not to be expected that operators, so situated,
can voluntarily secure a better place under the same
superintendent or the same company, but it is well
known that some of these picayune officials have made
arrangements with each other, and with railroad tele-
graph superintendents, under which they mutually re-
fuse to hire operators who leave the service within the
territory under their immediate control. Should a
man, through some oversight, obtain a position within
this hallowed precinct, it is probable he would be dis-
charged immediately upon the fact becoming known
to his late employer. Such contemptible scheming as
this shows the calibre of the superintendent of the
period, and if any of your readers have had any per-
sonal experience of this kind, I hope they will avail
themselves of your columns to smoke 'em out.
Centripetal.
» . ♦
The Peculiar Characteristics of Different
Operators.
Bristol, Pa., January 22.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
Your correspondent, "Jo.," in his remarks on tele-
graphers' unions or associations, classifies operators as
railroad and commercial operators. 1 desire to make
a further designation, and will distinguish them as resi-
dent and travelling operators.
The resident operator, whether railroad or commer-
cial, is what is termed steady and reliable. Generally
he is old fogyish, precise, contented, hangs to old
fashioned ways of doing his work, don't put his five
words per line, or count as he goes. If he gets it down,
"nuffsed." Usually is not addicted to the use of
tobacco, and is very apt to be married.
Now for the other genus : He has a knowing look,
is smart, with a moustache agonizingly undeveloped.
Sports a tall hat, fashionable tights, a big ring and a
girl. Don't care a cent whether school keeps or not;
affects the traveller and is posted. Knows every
Superintendent in the States and suburbs, and has
worked for 'em all. Been discharged for every misde-
meanor under the sun, and glories in it. Always
financially busted. " By the way, Jones, can you
spare a couple dollars till next week; it's all right, you
know, ole feller, av coorse!" He does a nice gilt
edged copy, puts on all the extras, and is generous to
a fault when he has the means. Never saves a cent,
and is never contented with his job. His monomania
is to write to Superintendents for a " sit," and, if he is
successful, leaves the one he is in for it. His morals
are of the convenient type ; is not naturally bad, but
his principles are that the world owes him a living,
and he acts accordingly. Is full of fun, telegraphic jokes,
and the boys all like him. Girls ditto. This is a
different race from the old report operator, thirty years
at the busiuess, who takes forty-five words Spencerian,
can copy three messages at a time while sending with
his left hand, diverting himself while so doing by
Mazourkaing to other side of room to borrow a chew
and talking to the boys. He can also string a set of
Hicks. His eyes resemble a pickled mackerel's from
long practice on fourth proof, and can't stay sober long
enough to get a job. You've seen him, eh ? Spotts.
The Western and Brazilian Telegraph Company.
An extraordinary general meeting of the Western
and Brazilian Telegraph Company (Limited) was held
on the 17th December at the Carman Street Hotel, Lon-
don. The Chairman said the object of the meeting
was to approve an agreement, made on the 8th inst.,
between this company and the liquidators of the Great
Western Telegraph Company, relative to the cancella-
tion of the shares issued to the shareholders of the
latter company, and the allotment and issue of other
shares of this company in exchange for said shares,
credited with the like sum as paid up thereon. His
colleagues at the Board, however, had requested him
to state the present position of the company. The line
from Para to Pernambuco was laid and at work. The
ship Hooper was now on the coast, laying the south-
ern portion of the line from Rio. The further lines
between Rio and the River Plate had been purchased
by the company and the deposit money paid. A re-
pairing ship had been bought by the directors to sail
along the coast and look after the cables. As soon as
the ship Hooper returned home she would take out the
West India cable, and ho hoped the whole of their
system would be completed and at work in a short
time. Another satisfactory matter was that all moneys
due to the contractors had been paid, and the com-
pany was absolutely out of debt. The resolutions ap-
proving the agreements, etc.,woro unanimously adopted
The Eastern Extension, etc., Telegraph Company's
traffic receipts for the month of December, 1873,
amounted to £20,400, against £14,797 for the corres-
ponding period of 1872 for the four separate lines, viz.,
the British Indian Extension, the China Submarine,
the British Australian and the Tasmauian Submarine
Telegraph Companies.
28
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[January 31, 18U.
The Telegrapher
Devoted to the Interests
OF THE
TELEGRAPHIC FRATERNITY.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 1874.
THE TELEGRAPHER:
PUBLISHED EVERT SATURDAY at 38 VESEY ST.
TENTH VOLUME,
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION.
One Copy, One Year, ----- $'4.00.
INVARIABLY IN ADVANCE.
Single Copies Five Cents.
SPECIMEN COPIES FORWARDED FREE on APPLICATION.
Communications must be addressed to
J. K ASHLEY, Publisher,
(P. O. Box 5503.) 38 VESEY ST. , New York.
T
HE TELEGRAPHER.
A JOURNAL OF ELECTRICAL PROGRESS,
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS
OP THE
Telegraphic Fraternity and the Advancement
of Electrical Science and the
Telegraphic Art.
Published Every Saturday ,
AT
No. 38 VESEY STREET, New York.
TENTH VOLUME.
The Tenth Volume of THE TELEGRAPHER will
commence with the number for SATURDAY, JANUARY 3d,
1874, and will close with the year. ■
All the popular features of the paper will be continued, and it
will be improved from time to time, as opportunity shall offer.
THE TELEGRAPHER
has now, for nearly ten years, been maintained upon its merits,
and without patronage or support, other than that derived from
Its legitimate business, for the past five years. (Previous, to that
time it was partially maintained by the National Telegraphic
Union.)
The TENTH VOLUME commences under favorable auspices,
and it may be said that it enjoys the entire confidence of the
TELEGRAPHIC FRATERNITY,
whose organ it is and will continue to be. It is a thoroughly
INDEPENDENT TELEGRAPHIC NEWSPAPER,
bound to, or in the interests of no telegraphic clique or com-
bination, but honestly devoted to the interests of the
PRACTICAL TELEGRAPHERS.
As heretofore, no labor, time or expense, warranted by the
patronage received, will be spared to improve its character, and
add to its interest, and to sustain its reputation as the only
first class »
ELECTRICAL AND TELEGRAPHIC JOURNAL
UPON THE
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Terms of Subscription.
ONE COPY, ONE YEAR $2 00
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Telegraphers and others are desired to act as Agents in obtain-
ing subscriptions, and will be allowed Twenty Per Cent. Com-
missions in lieu of Premiums or Club rates upon the amount of
such subscriptions, which may be deducted from remittances
when made.
Any per»on sending the names and money for four subscri-
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Subscribers changing their residences, and desiring a
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Remittances for subscriptions may be made by mail, by post-
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All communications relating to or intended for THE TELE-
GRAPHER must be addressed to
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(P. O. Box 5503,) NEW YORK.
Conspiracy to Oppress Telegraph Employes.—
A Eeal Grievance.
"When some years ago it was found that a portion of
the telegraph employes of the country had combined
and established a League for mutual support and pro-
tection, great was the outcry against it on the part of
Western Union officials, and most earnest the determi-
nation, at any cost, to defeat and destroy it. In this
the company was successful, and, since then, except
that at times the spectre of the League has seemed to
trouble and terrify them, all has been serene, and with
the exception of some grumbling and complaining
through The Telegrapher, and spasmodic agitations
of the Telegraphers' Association question, there has
been little, so far as the employes were coucerned,
to disquiet them.
It is not our purpose to find fault with this or to agi
tate disturbing elements, but it seems to us that if
combination on the part of the employes which may
prove adverse to the interests of employers is so wicked
and discreditable, combination on the part of the
higher officials of telegraph companies and liues,
avowedly adverse to the interests of the employes, is a
wrong and outrage, and constitutes a real grievance
which should be exposed and made public.
Our correspondent Centripetal, whose communi-
cation will be found in this paper, partially reveals
such a combination on the part of 'Western Union and
certaiu railroad telegraph officials, which is made
avowedry to prevent, so far as may be in their power,
any chance for the subordinate employes bettering
their condition, or availing themselves of opportunities
for exercising the liberty of selecting their places of
service, or exchanging from one location to another,
except as these officials shall be graciously pleased to
permit. That this is wrong aud an outrage there
can be no question. In this country every person is
supposed to be at liberty to select employment and
employers, and, if an opportunity offers, to change both
or either if it shall appear desirable or for their inter-
est to do so. It is of course but right that in making
such a change proper notice should be given of the
intention to do so, and a suitable opportunity afforded
to supply the service which is about to be withdrawn.
This is all that can in justice or equity be required,
but this is not sufficient to satisfy some telegraph offi-
cials.
It has recently come to our knowledge that an
arrangement exists, as before stated, between "Western
Union officials and certain railroad and other telegraph
superintendents, by which an employe of either will
not be given positions under the other without the per-
mission of his former superior; or, if inadvertently an
appointment be made, upon its being made known that
the employe is a fugitive from the thraldom exercised
by one of these officials, or has abandoned one for the
other for a better position, easier labor or increase of
compensation, the employe is at once discharged, and
can either humble himself or herself, and, if graciously
permitted so to do, return to his or her former, or a
lower position under the old Superintendent, abandon
the business, or starve.
As will at once be supposed this arrangement has
grown up on the division which is under the manage-
ment of T. T. Eckert, and exists in all its force in the
large district which is under the sway of D. H. Bates.
"Whether it exists on other sections of the Western
Union and connecting lines we are not as yet informed.
It may be so, but we doubt whether such an arrange-
ment could exist elsewhere. If it does, the fact should
be made known and the subject agitated until the in-
justice is corrected. ,
We concede the right of telegraph companies and
officials to manage their business as they shall deem
most advantageous, and to employ such persons as they
shall deem most likely to serve them satisfactorily. "We
deny their moral and equitable right to combine to
keep in subjection the employes, or to prevent them
from exercising freedom of selection of employers and
employment, and especially to prevent them from
obtaining better compensation than they may have
previously been receiving. This is a conspiracy to
oppress, and a real grievance,, which should be agitated
until it is removed.
"We do not approve of telegraph employes constantly
and capriciously changing from one line to another,
for insufficient reason or for no reason at all, but if they
can obtain situations it is their right to do so. How
much stronger then is the right of steady, reliable em-
ployes, who after months and years of faithful service,
seeing no probable reason to anticipate any improve-
ment where they are, when the opportunity is afforded
to secure such improvement by a change to avail them-
selves thereof? But just here the old employer says,
" No, you must continue in my service whether you will
or not. By an arrangement between your proposed
employer and myself, only with my consent can your
service be transferred !" If this is not slavery we are at
a loss to understand the word. If the power of such men
as we have mentioned was only equal to their desires,
they would be despots whose tyranny and oppression
would equal any that has ever before been experienced.
It is inevitable that combination will be met by com-
bination, and if telegraph companies and officials do
not desire that their employes should engage in such,
they must not attempt on their own part to combine
against them. "We may have something more to say
on this subject hereafter if the above should continue,
and in the meantime desire the fraternity throughout
the country to inform us whether such a combination
exists in their respective localities,
The Hubbard Telegraph Monopoly.
As has been stated by our "Washington correspond-
ent, Capitol, the proposed Hubbard telegraph mo-
nopoly has been discussed for several days before the
Senate Post-office Committee, by Messrs. Hubbard,
Orton, Prescott and others, for and against. The
arguments adduced on either side were of the stereo-
typed character, and are too familiar to our readers to
make it worth while to reproduce them at any length
in our columns.
There is so little really to be said in favor of Mr.
Hubbard's proposed telegraphic monstrosity that it is
difficult to understand how it is that a committee of
the Senate should need lengthy argument in opposition
to it, or should give it serious consideration even ; but
they do, and not only so, but once or twice at least
have reported favorably upon it. It has the advan-
tages neither of a private enterprise or of a Govern-
ment telegraph, and is to be established, if at all, only
upon the ruin of existing telegraph interests, and with
the certainty that it must eventually, and that at no
distant day, be taken over by the Government, and at
a largely increased cost to that which would attend the
purchase of the lines and the establishment in the first
place of the proposed Postal Telegraph.
The Postmaster General, rabid as he is on the sub-
ject of a Postal Telegraph, sees through the Hubbard
scheme and very sensibly opposes it. It should be
effectually disposed of in some way, and not return
Congress after Congress and session after session, to
bother legislators and telegraphic officials uselessly
and needlessly. How it can be done is beyond our
knowledge, but that it ought to be there can be no
doubt. That it will ever succeed we suppose no one
besides Mr. Hubbard and Senator Ramsay seriously
believes, and the two gentlemen named rely upon per-
sistent worrying to effect the object, if it is possible to
do it in any way. It has become a legislative nuisance
and ought to be abated, but how ?
The Page Patent Litigation.
There seems to be a probability that the validity of
the Page patent will be thoroughly and legally tested.
We have before mentioned in The Telegrapher the
fact that suits had been commenced in the United
States Courts against the Manhattan Quotation Com-
pany and Mr. Charles T. Chester, of this city, for
infringement of this patent, and they are to be con-
tested to the end, and its validity as affecting telegraph
January 31, 1874.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
%Q
instruments and apparatus, either established or denied
judicially.
Our readers are fully aware of our opinion in this
matter, and we have shown, as we think, conclusively,
that Prof. Page was not the original inventor of the
devices for which a patent has been granted to him,
and that in fact' the patent is an outrage on the public,
who have paid largely for these same devices to other
patentees, whose patents have expired and become
public property. So well convinced was the Western
Union Company of the invalidity of the patent that,
when first offered to them for purchase, after an in-
vestigation by experts and eminent patent lawyers, it
was rejected. It was subsequently purchased by that
company for good and sufficient reasons, no doubt, not
connected with its validity, and has for the last three
years been held in terrorem, over the telegraph inter-
ests of the country, not connected with the Western
Union — no serious attempt having heretofore been
made to enforce it.
It should, by all means, be disposed of at as early
a day as possible. Tf properly contested that it can
ever be maintained legally we regard as an- impos-
sibility.
The resources of the Western Union Company will
enable them to press the matter, and the contest will
be protracted and expensive. All who are interested
in defeating it shonld at once join hands with the de-
fendants and make common cause with them, sharing
the expenses as they will the benefit of success. The
railroad- companies are especially aDd vitally inter-
ested in this matter, for if the Page patent be once
established, they are at the mercy of the Western
Union Telegraph Company, so far as their telegraph
facilities are concerned, and will be made to pay
roundly for the exemption from such control during
the last few years, since the Morse patents expired.
They should be wise in time, and cooperate with those
who are engaged in supporting the independence of
the telegraphs of the country.
Mr. C. D. Case has resigned the position of Ticket
Agent and Telegraph Operator at the Broadway ticket
office of the Midland R. R. at Paterson, N. J., and
returned to his home in New York State.
Mr. P. M. Huntington has been transferred from the
Train Despatcher's office at Jersev City, 1ST. J., of the
New Jersey Midland E. R. to the Broadway Ticket
Office at Paterson, N. J. ; the despatches doubling up
on their work at Jersey City.
The W. U. Company have established an office at
Congress Hall, Albany, 1ST. T., which is in charge of
Mr. J. P. McAuliffe, transferred from the main office.
The W. U. office at the State Capilol, Albany, N. T.,
has been reopened for the Legislative season. Mr. J.
A. Osborn, late of' Hartford, Conn., is the operator in
charge.
Mr. W. P. Smith, late of the W. U. and P. and A.
Co., has accepted the position of signal operator at the'
Dudley Observatory, Albany, N. T.
Mr. H. C. Wineland, formerly in the Kansas Pacific
R. R. office, State line, Kansas City, Mo., is now extra
operator on the Pittsburg Division of the P. R. R.
Mr. Charles Rushmore, Secretary and Treasurer of
the American District Telegraph Company, of Brook-
lyn, N. Y., has resigned.
Mr. H. L. Htjes, Manager of the Western Union
Telegraph Co., Brcoklyn, N. Y., has been appointed
Secretary and Treasurer pro tern, of the American Dis-
trict Telegraph Co., to fill the vacancy from the resig-
nation of Mr. Charles Rushmore.
The Western Elective Manufacturing- Co.
The Western Electric Manufacturing Co., of Chicago,
111., seems to be in a sound and prosperous condition,
considering the hard times. They have kept a full force
at work at full time during the fall and winter, and
have met all their engagements promptly, and we are
pleased to learn that they find a good demand for the
products of their shop.
The company, instead of decreasing its production,
is branching out and adding an entirely new depart-
ment to their manufactory, in the shape of apparatus
for insulating all descriptions of office and magnet wire.
They have purchased of Messrs. Olmstead, Mead &
Co., of Providence, R. I., their machinery for this pur-
pose, and are setting it up in Chicago, adding new ap-
paratus for the winding of silk and cotton magnet and
resistance wire.
This company does business on its own capital, and
its business is not limited to any one branch of elec-
trical work, and all branches do not fail at the same
time. Again, its workmen and employes are stockhold-
ers, and are thus working for themselves, and remain
permanently in a shop where they have an interest in
the profits, in addition to their wages. This naturally
secures good workmen, interested in making a superior
article, and who do their work economically, wasting
neither labor or material.
Those having occasion to use insulated wire of any
description will do well to patronize the Western Elec-
tric Company.
lersfoujtls.
Mr. 0. K. Tompkins, recently of the Dubuque, Iowa,
Pacific and Atlantic office, has been appointed Day
Assistant of the Northwestern and Western Union
office at McGregor, Iowa— the great increase of business
at that point necessitating an increase of the force.
Mr. B. A. Dennis has been transferred from the
Augusta, Ga., to the Charlotte, N. C, office of the South-
ern and Atlantic Telegraph Company.
By Cable.
Kingston, Jamaica, Jan 24.— The Telegraph Con-
struction and Maintenance Company have (17th inst.)
succeeded in submerging a new cable between Jamaica
and 'Porto Rico. It is laid to Ponce, on the south
coast of Porto Rico. Everything is working well, but
the line is not open to the public. The former cable was
laid along the north side of Porto Rico to St. John, but
in consequence of strong currents to the east of Porto
Rico, the change of route has been considered neces-
sary.
•-»-♦
The Brazilian Telegraph.— Celebration of the
Completion of the Line.
By the mail steamer South America, which arrived
at New York on the 22d inst., advices from Rio Ja-
neiro to Dec. 26th, and Bahia to Dec. 30th, have been
received.
The Hooper Telegraph Company had completed their
cable from Bahia to Rio — the steamer Hooper arrived
at Rio with the final end on December 25th, and now
there is complete communication from Para to Pernam-
buco, Bahia and Rio. The completion of the line was
celebrated by a grand banquet and dinner at each of
the above named ports on Jan. 1st. The Emperor of
Brazil, present at Rio, held communication with those
ports, and, after an interchange of congratulations with
the presidents and officials of the several provinces, by
a signal from the Rio headquarters all parties simulta-
neously sat to dine and toasted the success of the great-
est enterprise that to-day exists in all Brazil. Other
vessels of the company are now preparing to lay the
remainder cf the cable between St. Thomas, West
Indies, and Para, which, it is expected, will be com-
pleted by May 7th, 1874, when there will be complete
telegraphic communication with the United States,
and thence to all parts of the world. Another line is
projected and expected to be laid between Lisbon and
Pernambuco within the year, thus opening direct com-
munication with Europe.
Annual Meeting of the Atlantic and Pacific Tele-
graph Company.
The Annual meeting of the Atlantic and Pacific
Telegraph Company was held on Wednesday, the 28th
inst., at the Executive offices of the Company in this
City, and the following gentlemen were elected Trus-
tees of the Company for the ensuing year. Messrs.
Oliver Ames and John R. Duff, of Boston, Mass.; S.
L. M. Barlow, George S. Bowdoin, George Bliss, Geo.
H. Brown, H. G. Chapman, W. II. Clay, Sidney
Dillon, John Duff, R. R. Graves, W. n. Guion, J. B.
Hodgskin, C. P. Huntington, L. P. Morton, John H.
Mortimer, G. G. Sampson, William W. Sherman, W. J.
Synis, Henry M. Tabor, William It. Travers, John G.
Yose, A. F. Wilmarth, New York ; John Barker, Brook-
lyn, N. Y.; James Uendrick, Albany, N. Y. ; N. C.
Simons, Buffalo, N. Y. ; Cheney Ames, Oswego N. Y. ;
H. G. Hamilton, Rochester, N. Y.; Russell Wheeler,
Utica, N. Y. , S. H. Marks, Lockport, N. Y. ; W. W.
Shippen, Hoboken, N. J. ; C. S. Bushuell, New Haven,
Conn.; Herman D. Walbridge, Toledo, 0.: R. M.
Shoemaker, Cincinnati, 0.; J. A. Devereaux, H. M.
Flagler, Waldemar Otis, Cleveland, 0.; C. B. Ham-
mond, A. B. Meeker, Chicago, 111.; and Emory Wen-
dell, Detroit, Mich.
♦-»-♦
Foreign Telegraphic Notes.
The directors of the Eastern Telegraph Compauy
have announced an interim dividend of 2s. 6d. per
share for the quarter ended September 30, 1873.
An interim dividend has been declared by the direc-
tors of the Eastern Extension Australasian and China
Telegraph Company for the quarter ended September
30, 1873, at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum, or 3s.
per share.
The total number of messages forwarded from postal
telegraph stations in the United Kingdom during the
week ended January 3, 1874, was 284,788, an increase
of 28,753 on the corresponding week of last year.
A dividend at the rate of 6 per cent, on the shares
of the Auglo-American Telegraph Company is an-
nounced.
The Evening Standard says there is no truth in a
recent report that the Telegraph Construction and
Maintenance Company (Limited) are about to manu-
facture a light cable for the Anglo-American Telegraph
Company for submersion between Great Britain and
America. It is, however, probable that the 1,000
miles of cable owned by the latter company, and now
on board the Great Eastern, will be utilized during the
present year, with the addition of about 700 miles of
new cable of the heaviest type — experience having de-
monstrated that this description of cable is the best
and most durable.
Gibraltar has been for more than eighteen months
connected with the telegraph system of Europe by
means of the line between that city and San Roque.
Dp to the present time, however, the Spanish Govern-
ment has permitted this line to be used only for tele-
graphing to places in Spain itself, objecting to the
transmission of messages to other countries, on the
ground that it would accept no responsibility except
for messages deposited in its own telegraph offices. It
is notified, however, that from the first of January the
service of the Gibraltar telegraph, heretofore limited
to Spain alone, will be extended to all parts of the
world.
Admiral Sherard Osborn, C.B., F.R.S., has resigned
the managing directorship of the Telegraph Construc-
tion and Maintenance Company in order to place him-
self at the disposal of the Admiralty, and is succeeded
by Admiral Richards, C.B., F.R.S., who has filled the
position of Hydrographer to the Navy for the last ten
years. Admiral Osborn joined the Telegraph Construc-
tion Company in 1864, previous to the first contract
for au Atlantic cable, and during his tenure of the
managing directorship has successfully carried out con-
tracts for upwards of 30,000 miles of cable, extending
from Falmouth to Australia and America, and consti-
tuting a complete system of submarine telegraphy. He
will still retain a seat at the board of the company, to
whose utility and prosperity he has thus so long con-
tributed.
The Eastern Telegraph Company's traffic receipts
for the month of December, 1873, amounted to £35,238,
and for the corresponding month of 1872 to £32,250,
showing an increase of £2,988.
The Board of Supervision of the German Union Tele-
graph Company of Berlin have resolved to pay an in-
terim dividend on account of the dividend due 1st May
next, with 10s. 4d. per share of 100 thalers, or £15, at
the German Bank of Berlin, London agency, 50 Old
Broad street.
♦-•-♦
The West Indian Telegraphs.
The Kingston, Jamaica, correspondent of the New
York Herald, under date of Jan. 10th, writes:
" It has long been a scheme to connect the entire
group of West India Islands by telegraph, and the
British Government, through the Colonial Office, offered
to grant some kind of subsidy or concession to any
enterprising capitalists who should undertake to carry
out the idea. The West Indian and Panama Compauy
had at one time so far completed it that it was possible
to telegraph to almost any part of Europe from these
islands, and while they were about demanding their
reward from the Government the cable between Colon
and Jamaica was broken, thus severing the connection
and shutting off communication. No sooner was the
Colon cable repaired than the cable laid to the north
end of Porto Kico became useless, thus again destroy-
ing the communication between here and St. Thomas.
And, lastly, the Spanish authorities in Cuba have so
far crippled the operations of the cable to Santiago and
Batabano that it has been purely a waste of time to
attempt to uso it for transmitting messages via Now
York — five days boiug the time required for a single
so
THE TELEGRAPHER,
[January 31, 1814;
word to reach your city. Notwithstanding all the
accidents of the deep, and the unjust and untimely
interference of the Dons, the Panama Company have
determined to try again to make the circuit complete.
A few days ago two large steamers, chartered by the
Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company,
arrived at this port, having on board the material for
the new Porto Rico cable. One of them, the Minia,
had on board 648 miles of five eighths six strand wire.
The Kangaroo carried fifteen miles of main cable,
eighteen miles of intermediate and fourteen miles of
shore end — the intermediate being about one inch and
the shore end about one inch and three eighths in cir-
cumference.
The Minia, after having laid the present cable, will
attempt to grapple aDd repair the wire now broken at
some distance from Porto Rico, while the Kangaroo
has to proceed to Martinique for the purpose of mend-
ing the Dominica wire, which has been sundered in
about 1,000 fathoms of water.
The shore end of the new line will be laid, by about
Tuesday next, the 13th inst., from Holland Bay, on
the eastern extremity of Jamaica, to Ponce, on the
south side of Porto Rico. The bottom, according to
the soundings on the chart, appears to be uneven ; in
some places it is only about 600 fathoms, while only a
short distance further on the leads went tumbling
down the sides of immense hills to the depth of over
2,000 fathoms, showing that the bottom is mountain-
ous and difficult to lay a wire on.
The wires, on being tested before leaving, were found
to be in splendid condition, so that iu all probability
the enterprise will prove successful. The supervision
of the work on behalf of the Panama Company has
been entrusted to Mr. Theophilus Smith and a staff of
three other electricians from the office of Sir Samuel
Canning, while the contractors — the Construction Com-
pany — are represented by Mr F. Lucas and a special
staff. Some little difficulties are expected iu laying
the shore end, for, though the British Government
seems so anxious to have the "West Indies connected
by wires to the United States aud Europe, their repre-
sentative here declined to aid in the work by loaning a
small steamer. Should the shore end be successfully
laid by Tuesday, however, and the weather remain fine,
the other end will have been laid at Ponce by about
the 20th of Januarv.
Ball at Tucson, A. T., to Celebrate Completion
of the Military Telegraph Line to San
Diego, Cal.
On Saturday, Dec. 5, 1873, a ball took place at Tuc-
son, Arizona Territory, to celebrate the completion of
the military telegraph line connecting Arizona with
the telegraph system of the country at San Diego,
California. The Arizona Citizen, which, is published
at Tucson, gives the following account of the affair :
" This affair was well attended and as> well enjoyed.
The evening was fine and the spirits of all present
seemed finer. The dance opened about half past eight
and continued to near twelve, when a fine supper was
partaken of at jSTeugasa's restaurant. After eating and
some drinking of coffee, champagne and other joy in-
spiring fluids, some remarks were made. Gov. Safford
gave a concise and interesting history of the rise and
progress of telegraphing, and commented on the mys-
terious wonder which it surely is to the mass of people
even to this day. He paid proper tribute to Gen. Crook,
and those under him, in its construction, and especially
to Capt. G. P. Price, whose absence was regretted by
all present, for to his energy and business tact the
people of Arizona are much indebted for the entire
completion of the line as contemplated with the small
appropriation made by Congress ; and the Governor
very fitly referred to delegate McCormick's prompt
action in securing the appropriation for the work. It
is true that others high in authority recommended it,
but for the opportune motion of delegate McCormick,
and enforced by his excellent arguments in committee
of the whole House of Representatives in Congress,
there would have been no appropriation made. This
is a little history in this connection which the people
of Arizona should properly remember. After the Gov-
ernor's remarks the proprietor of the Citizen informed
those present of the contents of a news despatch just
received from San Diego, which set forth that the ad-
ministration of President Grant had wisely averted war
with Spain upon honorable terms, which were briefly
stated ; the President's views on the postal telegraph
and postal savings banks were also given as contained
in the despatch fresh from Washington. Such late
news was never before enjoyed at a supper in Tucson.
Gen. E. A. Carr, of Camp Lowell, was called out, and
he responded in some remarks complimentary to the
citizens in general.
So far as we can learn, all present still feel that it
was good to have been there, and rejoice that a large
step towards removing our feeling of isolation from the
hives of population and thronged business centres of
our country had just been taken."
The Correspondence of "The Telegrapher."
Now that the prospect of the location of the Ameri-
can terminus of the Asiatic Telegraph Cable at this
place begins to look like certainty, it is not out of place
to mention the fact that the first public statement of
the advantages of San Diego in that connection ap-
peared in the columns of The Telegrapher, over the
yiom de 'plume of " Clix," and was from the peu of Mr.
Wm. E. Smith, the manager of the "Western Union
Company's office in this city. The article was very ex-
tensively copied in Ihe Eastern press at the time of its
appearance. — San Diego (Cal.) Union.
TT^ESTERN ELECTRIC
MANUFACTURING COMPANY
FURNISH ALL DESCRIPTIONS OP
Copper Office and Magnet Wire,
OF OUR OWN MANUFACTURE,
WITH
EVEEY VAEIETT OF INSULATION,
FINE RESISTANCE WIRE and DOUBLE and
SINGLE CONNECTING CORD.
Western Electric Manufacturing Company,
CHICAGO.
VOLUMES OF THE TELEGRAPHER
FOR SALE.
The subscriber has had placed in his hands, to dispose of to
the best advantage, complete sets of Vols, i, 6, 6 and 7 of the
The Telegbapheh, unbound. They are in perfect condition
and may be had at a bargain.
' S. C. RICE, Operator,
W. U. Telegraph Company,
Albany, N". T.
EUGENE F. PHILLIPS,
MANUFACTURER OP
REED & PHILLIPS'
PATENT INSULATED TELEGRAPH WIRES,
(PATENTED, NOVEMBER 18TH, 1873.)
Lock box 169. PE0VIDEN0E, E. I.
Having recently enlarged our factory, we are now prepared
to furnish at short notice any style and quantity of
BRAIDED LINEN or COTTON COVERED WIRE,
saturated and finished with our Patent Compound, which makes
the most durable, handsome and best insulated Braided Wire
manufactured.
PAINTED, PARAFFINE or SHELLAC WIRES
also furnished at the lowest prices. Iron or Compound Wires
covered upon reasonable terms.
We are also prepared to furnish a new style of
ELECTRIC CORDAGE,
which has been pronounced by all superior to any in the market.
The American District and Gold and Stock Telegraph Com-
panies have been supplied from my works with a greater
portion of the office wire used by them.
S£g~ Sample Card and Price List furnished when requested.
Phillips' Wire can be had of
L. G. Tillotson & Co New York.
Charles T. Chester "
F. L. Pope & Co "
W. HOCKHAUSBN ' "
Patrick Bunnell & Co Philadelphia.
Watts & Co Baltimore.
Charles Williams, Jr Boston.
Thomas Hall , "
George H. Bliss & Co Chicago.
General Superintendent's Office,
American District Telegraph Co.,
New York, January let, 1874.
E. F. Phillips, Esq.
Dear Sir: Your office wire is a decided success. We have
used it exclusively for two years and consider it the best in the
market.
Respectfully,
W. H. SAWYER, Gen'l Sup't.
Anson Stager, Elisha Gray,
Pres't. Sup't.
Enos M. Barton,
Sec'y.
w
ESTERN ELECTRIC MANUFACTUR-
ING COMPANY.
No. 220 KINZIE STREET, CHICAGO.
TELEGEAPH, WIEES, INSTEUMENTS,
BATTERIES, TOOLS,
INSULATORS and SUPPLIES.
Annunciators for Hotels, Steamships, Dwellings.
Our Annunciators are the most extensively used and the most
perfect in operation.
Automatic Mercury Fire Alarm, for Hotels, Steam-
ships, Public Buildings.
Five years' operation have proved its merits.
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
HAMBLET'S ELECTRO-MAGNETIC WAT0H CLOCKS AND
TIME DIALS.
Western Electric M'f'g Co., Chicago.
TELEGEAPH WIEE, Numbers 8, 9 and 12.
UNION BRAND, AND
UNION BRAND EXTRA QUALITY.
JOHNSON'S WIRE.
BROOKS' INSULATORS, GLASS INSULA-
TORS and BRACKETS.
KENOSHA INSULATORS, all kinds.
PAINTED CROSS-ARMS.
KENOSHA CROSS-ARMS.
OFFICE WIRE, many varieties.
COPPER & COMPOUND KERITE WIRE.
CABLES TO ORDER.
Western Electric M'f'g Co., Chicago.
TEROME REDDING & CO.,
30 HANOVER STREET, BOSTON,
MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS IN
Electrical and Telegraph Minents.
A FULL ASSORTMENT OF TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
CONSTANTLY ON HAND.
Telegraph, Magnet, Office, and other Insulated Wires,
INSULATORS, BRACKETS.
PATENT ELECTRIC WATCH-CLOCK
THE BEST IN USE.
ELE0TEI0 BELLS AND ANNUNOIATOES,
At prices which defy competition.
Batteries of Every Description,
At unusually low prices.
Battery Oarbons all sizes, with Improved Connection
Medical Batteries from $4 Upwards.
ALL GOO&S WdUKjUrXJe?) FISS2 CLASS
AND PRICES EXTREMELY LOW.
SEND FOR PRICE LIST.
January 31, 1874.]
THE TELEGRAPHER
in
ANIC PRICES.
OUR PROFITS HAVING BEEN AMPLE,
WE OFFER OUR CUSTOMERS THE
BENEFITS OF THE RECENT
REDUCTION
IN THE COST OF LABOR AND MATERIAL.
w.
ALL WHO NEED
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS and SUPPLIES,
Large or Small Quantities,
WILL CONSULT THEIR OWN INTERESTS BY PURCHASING
FROM US.
SEND FOR OUR NEW PRICE LIST.
A Special Discount given on Cash Purchases.
GEO. H BLISS & CO.,
41 THIRD A VENUE,
Chicago, 111.
pEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
41 THlItTi ATEXTJEy
Chicago, III.
HOCHHAUSEN,
Manufacturer of
ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS,
132 WILLIAM STREET (rear),
Between Fulton and John Streets, NEW YORK.
TELEGRAPHIC, ELECTRICAL AND MEDICAL APPARATUS.
Agents for KIDDER'S MEDICAL APPARATUS.
" AMERICAN COMPOUND WIRE.
" JONES' LOCK SWITCH BOARD.
'< ROBERTSON'S BATTERY INSULATOR.
•• HILL'S GRAVITY BATTERY.
" HILL'S HOTEL ANNUNCIATOR and FIRE ALARM.
" " " MCPHERSON'S IRON BATTERY.
<• <« THE AMATEUR TELEGRAPH APPARATUS.
« .. PUTT'S MECHANICAL INSTRUMENTS.
" KENOSHA INSULATOR.
" BROOKS'
•' UNITED STATE8 ELECTRIC GAS LIGHTING COM-
PANY.
" POPE'S RAILWAY SIGNALS.
" " EAGLES METALLIC (RESERVOIR) BATTERY.
" SELDEN'S PRINTERS.
" ANDERS' MAGNETIC DIAL AND PRINTER.
IMPROVED AMATEUR SOUNDERS.
AN EXTRA FINISHED AND GOOD WORKING SOUNDER,
No - 3 $4 00
A WELL FINISHED AND GOOD WORKING SOUNDER,
No - * 3 00
A WELL FINISHED AND GOOD WORKING KEY, No. 4. 4 00
Instruments, Lin-e Material, Office Wire, Magnet Wire, Tools
Battery Material, Chemicals, Books, Stationery,
constantly on hand.
tO~ Special attention given to REPAIRS and MODEL WORK.
nPHE BEST TELEGRAPH MATERIAL
-*- IN THE WORLD
One half of actual size
ELECTRIC BELL,
PATENT SELF-CLOSING KEY,
(Patented October 27, 1873.)
Price $5 50
The lever of this Key swings in two directions, vertical and
horizontal. A spring presses it against an adjustable contact
point on right hand side.
In sending with tbis key take hold of the knob and move to the
left, this opens the circuit, then operate in the ordinary way. As
soon as released the lever swings back against side contact point,
closing the circuit.
The Platina Points are large and hard.
Self-Starting Register, of new design, protected by a Glass
Shade, complete, with Paper Reel and Weight. . $50 00
Sounders, from 4 50 to $6 50
Electric Bells, single stroke or continuous ringing,
trom 5 00 to 8 00
Relays, from 9 50 to 16 00
Improved Switch Keys, from 3 00 to 5 60
Send for Illustrated Circulars.
The above may also be had of F. L. POPE k CO., 38 Vesey street,
New York, at Manufacturer!." prices.
L
ECLANCHE BATTERIES.
CAUTION.
All persons are hereby notified that Batteries infringing upon
bur patents are in the market (some of them nearly worthless).
The public are warned against using any such infringements, as
in every case the guilty parties will oe prosecuted to the fullest
extent of the law. The genuine Batteries have the words " Pile
Leclanche " on the carbons and glasses. Any information con-
cerning such infringements will be thankfully received by the
Leclanche Battery Co.,
JVo. 10 West iSth Street.
New York, October 11, 1873.
rpiLLOTSON'S EXCELSIOR
1 TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT.
(PATENTED JUNE 24, 1873.)
This apparatus is constructed of the best material, and finished
equal to any Telegraph Instrument, and is warrauted first class
In every particular. It is especially adapted to the require-
ments of Students of Telegraphy and the operation of Private
Telegraph Lines.
Price, complete, Sounder and Key mounted on finely
finished Mahogany Base, with one Cell Hill's Patent
Battery, with Chemicals, eight feet of Office Wire, and
" Smith's Manual of Telegraphy" $7 50
Two sets 14 5(1
Price of Sounder and Key only 6 50
with Cut Out and Lightning
A rreBter attached 7 50
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
No> 8 I>EY STREET, N. Y.
IS SUPPLIED BY
L
CO.,
G. TILLOTSOB"
8 Dey Street, New York,
MANUFACTURERS, DEALERS and IMPORTERS
TELEGRAPH MACHINERY, SUPPLIES
AND
Line Equipment of every Description
MATERIAL AND INSTRUMENTS
always on hand, for the equipment of lines of any length, at a
moment's notice.
We furnish first class goods at low prices. Liberal arrange-
ments made with Superintendents, Contractors and Builders
of Telegraph Lines.
Registers $38 00 to $45 00
Spring Registers 47 50
Relays. 14 00 to 18 00
Sounders 3 50 to 7 50
Keys 4 00to 6 50
Main Line Sounders 14 00 to 18 00
Combination Sets 20 00 to 30 00
Galvanometers, $7 00 upward.
RATTLER TELEGRAPH SOUNDER, $3.50.
POCKET INSTRUMENTS, Nickel Plated, in Hard Rubber
Cases, I|x2x5 inches.
CUT-OUTS, Plug, Peg or Button, with or without Lightning
Arresters, for one, two or more Lines.
JONES' PATENT LOCK SWITCHES, the best and cheapest in
use, with or without Lightning Arresters.
PEG or PIN, CULGAN, REPEATING, GROUND, LOCAL,
BATTERY and SINGLE BUTTON SWITCHES.
LIGHTNING ARRESTERS for any number of wires, of most
approved patterns. •
ELECTRO-MAGNETS,
PERMANENT MAGNETS,
APPARATUS for STUDENTS and
AMATEUR TELEGRAPHERS
ELECTRIC MOTORS,
PRINTING and DIAL
INSTRUMENTS,
ELECTRICAL ANNUNCIATORS.
FIRE and BURGLAR ALARMS,
ELECTRO-MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS.
RHUMKORFF COILS, from }i to 10 inch spark.
GEISSLER'S TUBES, from $1.00 upwards
ELECTRICAL CALL AND ALARM BELLS in great variety,
from $6.50 upward.
INSTRUMENTS furnished Nickel Plated at 20 per cent, ad-
vance on List Price.
OFFICE WIRES, from 80c. to $1.25 per pound.
GUTTA-PERCHA COVERED WIRES, all sizes.
BISHOP'S NEW COMPOUND COVERED- WIRE, for running
into offices, 4c. per foot.
MAGNET WIRES, in Silk and Cotton, at Factory prices.
INSULATED WIRES for t-pecial purposes made to order.
SILK COVERED SWITCH CORD, one, two or more conductors.
PATENT MESSAGE HOOKS, the best ever introduced, prices
65c. and 75c. per dozen.
MANIFOLD PAPER and AGATE STYLUS at bottom prices.
CABLES AND SUBMARINE WIRES.
REPAIRERS' TOOLS AND TOOL BAGS.
GLASS AND RUBBER WINDOW TUBES.
KENOSHA AND OTHER INSULATORS
OF EVERY DESCRIPTION.
BRACKETS, PINS AND SPIKES.
HILL, CALLAUD, GROVE, BDNSEN, CARBON, DANIELLS,
LECLANCHE, NITRO-CHROMIO AND OTHER
STYLES OF BATTERY IN ANY
QUANTITIES.
PURE CHEMICALS AT LOWEST PRICES.
SULPHATE OF COPPER A SPECIALTY, AND PRICES VERY
LOW.
CARBON PLATES made to order for Grenil, Smee, Stohrer and
other Batteries.
OFFICE FIXTURES AND BATTERY UTENSILS OF EVERY
DESCRIPTION.
"Smith's Manual of Telegraphy," .... 30 cents.
ALL STANDARD WORKS on ELECTRICITY h TELEGRAPHY.
SOLE AGENTS FOR
RICHARD JOHNSON & NEPHEW'S celebrated LINE WIRE.
Calrilo.r/ue and 7'rice List furnished upon application .
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
8 I>EY STREET, NEW YORK.
IV
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[January 31, 1814.
A MERICAN EIRE ALARM AND
POLICE TELEGRAPH.
(JAMEWELL & CO.. Proprietors,
62 BROADWAY, NEW YORK.
J. W. STOVER.
General Agent and Superintendent.
L. B. FIRMAN, Ohioago, 111.,
General Agent for the West and North- West.
J R. DOWELL, Richmond, Va..
Special Agent for Virginia and North Carolina.
J. A. BREKKER, Augusta, Ga.,
Special Agent for Georgia and South Carolina,
L. M. MONkOE, New Canaan, Conn.,
Special Agent for New England,
BLKUTKIOAL CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE CO.,
San Francisco, Cal.,
Special Agents for California, Oregon and Nevada.
THIS SYSTEM OF
FIRE ALARM & POLICE TELEGRAPH
WITH A CENTRAL, OFFICE,
OR
UPON TEE AUTOMATIC PLAN,
Is now lu operation in the following Cities, to which refereuceis
made for evidence of its great
SUPERIORITY, VALUE
AND
UNIFORM RELIABILITY.
aiuaiiy, N. Y.»
Alloghany, Pa.,
Boston, Mass.,
Bridgeport, Conn.
Buffalo, N. Y.,
Baltimore, Md.,
Chicago, 111.,
Cincinnati, Ohio,
Columbus, Ohio,
Cambridge, Mass.,
Charlestown, Mass.,
Coviugton, Ky.,
Detroit, Mich.,
Dayton, Ohio,
Elizabeth, N. J.,
Fall River, Mass.
Fitchbnrg, Mass.,
Hartford, Conn.,
Indianapolis, Ind.
Jersey City, N. J.,
Louisville, Ky.,
Lowell, Mass.,
Lawrence, Mass.,
Lynn, Mass.,
Mobile, Ala.,
Montreal, Canada,
Milwaukee, Wis.,
New York City,
New Orleans, La.,
New Bedford, Mass.,
New Haven, Conn.,
Newark, N. J.,
Omaha, Neb., »
Philadelphia, Pa.,
Pittsburg, Pa.,
Portland, Maine,
Peoria, 111.,
Providence, R. I.,
Quebec, L. C.,
Rochester, N. Y.,
Richmond, ya.,
St. Louis, Mo.
St. John, N. B.,
Springfield, Mass.,
San Francisco, Cal.,
Savannah, Ga.,
Syracuse, N. Y.,
Troy, N. Y„
Taunton, Mass.,
Toledo, Ohio,
Toronto, Canada,
Washington, D. C,
Worcester, Mass.
tne Distinctive Features of these Systems of
Fire Alarm and Police Telegraphs
ABE,
First — Tne Automatic Repeater, through which the
apparatus may be distributed in a combination of circuits, and
the entire system successfully worked, without the constan t per-
sonal attention of either operators or watchmen.
Second — The Automatic Signal Boxes.
Third— Tne Electro-Mechanical Bell Strikers,
adapted to produce the full tone of the largest church or tower
bells. ,
Fourth— The Electro-Mechanical Gong Striker,
for hose and engine houses, by means of which the location of
the Are is Instantaneously communicated to the members of
each Are company.
These Features combined form the
Only KtRKCT, COMPLETE and RELIABLE System
OF
FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH
IN THE WORLD.
It is a sufficient vindication of the claims which are made by
the Proprietors of these systems of
FIRE ALARM
AND
POLICE TELEGRAPHS,
that they have sustained the test of more than twenty years of
practical use, and that the efforts which have been repeatedly
made to supplant them by other inventions have
COMPLETELY FAILED;
the few instances in which municipalities have been induced to
adopt other systems having demonstrated their insufficiency
and unreliability, and resulted in their abandonment, and sub-
stitution therefor of the
AMERICAN FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH.
Messrs. GAME WELL & CO. are the owners of the
original FARMER & CBANNING FA TENTS, one of the most
Important of which has jus* been extended for seven years, and
A uring the past seventeen years have spared no expense or effort
to secure Improvements, and the Systems are now cove 3d by
MORE THAN TWENTY PATENTS.
The most important improvement which the Proprietoi s have
adopted and introduced is the
AUTOMATIC SYSTEM,
the introduction and operation of which involves so litl ' .) ex-
pense, compared to the benefit which it confers, that even small
communities can profitably adopt and maintain it.
The American System of
TIRE ALARM AND POLIOE TELEGRAPHS
has met with the universal approbation and commendation of
the
People, Municipal Authorities,
AND THE
PRESS
throughout the UNITED STATES and CANADA.
NO EFFORT, TROUBLE OR EXPENSE
is spared by the Proprietors to obtain and secure ANY POS-
SIBLE IMPROVEMENT which shall increase the
EFFICIENCY,
RELIABILITY and
ECONOMY
of the system. They intend that, as far as possible, it shall be
ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!
The amount of property which has been saved from destruc-
tion, and the number of lives which have been preserved
through the general adoption of this system, throughout the
UNITED STATES and the DOMINION of CANADA,
CANNOT EASILY BE ESTIMATED,
but that, in every community where it has been introduced for
any considerable length of time, they have been enormous, three
CAN BE NO QUESTION.
The cooperation of TELEGRAPHERS in securing its in-
troduction into their locaUties is cordially invited, and
iheir efforts will be duly appreciated and
compensated.
Any information desired in regard to the above
system will be cheerfully and promptly furnished
upon application at the office.
A pamphlet, setting forth more fully its advantages and
superiority, has been printed, and will be supplied to Municipal
Authorities and others interested in Fire Alarm and Police Tele-
g*aphy, upon application as above.
c
CHARLES T. CHESTER,
104 Centre Street,
NEW YORK,
TELEGRAPH ENGINEER,
AND MANUFACTURER OF
INSTRUMENTS,
BATTERIES,
AND EVERY DESCRIPTION OF
TELEGRAPH SUPPLIES.
BUNNELL'S PATENT REPEATER.
These instruments are now made in two different styles, at
$120 and $135 a set, consisting of two Relays, two Sounders, two
Keys and Governor.
JONES' LOCK SWITCH-BOARD,
a most compact and reliable Switch, forming a clean spring-
locked connection between any number of wires, occupying for
each different connection only one square inch of space, and
though made of the largest size, not subject to the warp and
contraction of wood- work.
EXCLUSIVE AGENTS OF
A. G. DAY'S
KERITE,
OB
COMPOUND RUBBER COVERED WIRE
SUBTERRANEAN & jERIAL WIRES,
OF THE
HIGHEST INSULATION.
Wearenow prepared to furnish, after an experience of three
years, an Insulated Wire which can be buried in the earth or
exposed to rain and sun, or to the vapor of acids, without injury.
Professor Silliman, who has exposed it to the most destructive
agencies, finds that it remains uninjured in an atmosphere of
ozone, which would destroy gutta-percha In a few hours. It
exceeds glass or any other known substance as a non-conductor
We have made special arrangements to furnish this article
for office purposes at a reduced rate.
ALSO, TO FURNISH
IRON CLAD CABLES,
of the usual size, with KERITE COVER, beUevlng that it will
exceed, in Insulation for submarine purposes, ANYTHING
HITHERTO MANUFACTURED.
We shall be happy to furnish estimates for any amount and
size of cable, which will be found to compete with any other
construction, both in quality and price.
We manufacture the Genuine ELECTROPOION BATTERY,
with Patent Platina Connection, Introduced by us eight years
since; also, THE ALPHABETICAL OR DIAL TELEGRAPH,
now extensively used In this and other cities for private lines,
being easily arid quiokly learned by any one.
We offer for sale, among other novelties, a SOUNDER that
will w >rk practically with a single Daniell cell, a BATTERY
that does not require to be taken down but once a year, and the
very beat MAIN LINE SOUNDERS made
Our CATALOGUE, embracing a large amount of new matter
and description, is now ready for distribution.
January 31, 1814.]
T>ROOKS' PATENT TELEGRAPH
INSULATOR WORKS,
AND AGENCY FOB THE SALE OF
Siemens' Universal Galvanometer,
Resistance Coils, Submarine Cables,
AND EVERY VARIETY OF
Electro-Metrical Apparatus Manufactured by Siemens Bros.
DAVID BKOOKS, Proprietor,
22 South Twenty-first Street, PHILADELPHIA.
THE PATENT INSULATOR.
This invention was first introduced into public use in 1867,
and now hundreds, without exception, attest its perfection as an
Insulator ; also its economy over all others when maintenance is
included with first cost.
Siemens' Universal Galvanometer,
This instrument for the measurement of ordinary resistances,
such as relays, sounders, conductivity of line wires, insulation,
&0., stands unrivalled for simplicity and correctness, and is now
the standard instrument for such work in all countries.
Siemens' Submarine Cables, Cables for River Cross-
ings of every description,
AND
Insulated Conductors.
These Cables are unexcelled in construction, and can be pro-'
cured in less time and at about half the cost of those manufac-
tured in this country.
THE TELEGRAPHER
A SUPERIOR PRINTING TELEGRAPH
INSTRUMENT,
FOE PEIVATE AND SHOET LINES.
Awarded the First Premium,— Silver Medal—over all others at
Cincinnati Industrial Exposition, 1872..^
The undersigned is now prepared to supply the improved and
superior
PRINTING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
manufactured under the patent of Mr. J. E. SELDEN. This
instrument has already been extensively introduced, and has
given complete satisfaction to all who have adopted and used it.
It is simple, reliable, and not liable to get out of order; can be
operated by any person of ordinary intelligence after a few
minutes' instruction and practice.
PEIYATE LINES
constructed in the best and most substantial manner, and on
reasonable terms.
Favorable arrangements will be made with line constructors,
telegraph employes, &c for the introduction of the Printer.
For further particulars, terms, &c, apply to
MERCHANTS' MANUFACTURING- AND
CONSTRUCTION QO.
S. J. BURRELL, Superintendent,
No. 50 BROAD STREET (Rooms 12, 13 & 14).
P. O. BOX 496.
\ MERICAN COMPOUND
-^ TELEGRAPH LINE WIRE.
COPPER FOR CONDUCTIVITY.
STEEL FOR STRENGTH.
The superiority of the COMPOUND TELEGRAPH WIRE,
oompared with iron, consists in its LIOBTNESS, reducing by over
fifty per cent, the number of poles and insulators required.
Relative THSN8ILB strength, homogeneity and elasticity— de-
creasing the liability to breakage, from cold weather, sleet, etc.
Conductivity— insuring great improvement in the working of
lines in any condition of the weather.
And in Its dura.bil.ity, which greatly exceeds that of the best
galvanized iron wire.
Altogother resulting la a very great reduction in the cost of
maintaining and working telegraph linos, while, at tho same
time. Insuring
EFFICIENCY AND RELIABILITY.
' Address —
American Oomponnfl Telegraph Wire Co
ALANSON GARY. Treasurer, '
No. 234 Went '-HUth St..
New Tor 7c.
M
AGNETO-ELECTRIC ALPHABETICAL
DIAL TELEGRAPH,*
FOR
RAILKOADS, GAS COMPANIES AND PRIVATE BUSI-
NESS PURPOSES GENERALLY.
MANUFACTURED by
HOWARD WATCH AND CLOCK CO.
E. HOWARD, & CO., Proprietors.
J. HAMBLET, Electrician.
OFFICES:
114 TREMONT STREET, BOSTON, Mass.
IS MAIDEN LANE, NEW YORK.
This Instrument is offered to the public as the oldest, most
rapid, and best.
MAGNETO-DIAL TELEGRAPH
in the world.
It has already been extensively adopted and has invariably
given entire satisfaction.
They also manufacture and put up
THE ELECTRO-MAGNETIC WATCH CLOCK,
Which is the best watchman's time recorder in the world. Also,
ELECTRIC AND CONTROLLED CLOCKS
of all kinds,
CHRONOGRAPHS,
ASTRONOMICAL CLOCKS,
REGULATORS,
ETC., ETC.,
OF ALL KINDS.
AH instruments and work from this establishment guaranteed
to give satisfaction.
L. POPE & CO.,
MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS IN
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS AND SUPPLIES
OF
EVERY DESCRIPTION,
38 VESEY 'stM'EET, Neiv York.
NEW AND SUPERIOR PATTERNS OF
STANDARD TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS.
These Instruments are elegantly designed, thoroughly well
finished, and scientifically adapted to the service required.
RELAYS,
SOUNDERS,
REGISTERS and
KEYS,
In addition to these we furnish all desoriptioks of tele-
graph MATERIAL AND SUPPLIES, SUCh as
BATTERIES, INSULATED WIRES, CHEMICALS
of all kinds, etc., etc.
THE NONPAREIL TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT,
Frr Amateurs and Learners, and Short Lines.
GLOBE LT.Q-HTI-TIlNrca- ARRESTERS.
Bradley's Apparatus for Electrical Measurement.
, We are the Agents for the sale of this new and very superior
Instrument for Electrical Measurement.
BRADLEY'S BOX RELAYS AND SOUNDERS.
BRADLEY'S NAKED WIRE HELICES AND MAGNET
SPOOLS,
of any desired size and resistance, will bo supplied upon orders
through us, at the Manufacturer's lowest prices.
Also, Agents for
HOOHHAUSEN'S SUPERIOR LOW PRICED TELEGRAPH
INSTRUMENTS.
• Sole Agents lor the
EAGLES METALLIC GALVANIC B ATTIC 11 Y.
The demand for this Battery In rapidly Increasing, and it Is
conceded byall who have n icd it to be the n ' '""' mn:t /■:<■<, »«-
mical Battery, I irl ilei raphic and other purposes, offered to the
public.
Descriptive Circulars and Prico List forwarded upon applica-
tion to
F. L. POPE & CO.,
(P. O. Box 5503.)
38 VESEY STREET.
GEO. B. HICKS, (late) Pres't. JOHN E. GARY, Vice-Pret't.
GEO. W. STOCKLT, Sec'y and Treas'r.
TELEGRAPH SUPPLY
AND
MANUFACTURING COMPANY,
CLEVELAND, O.,
MANUFACTURERS OF
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
OF EVERT DESCRIPTION.
Agents and. Manufacturers for
THE AMERICAN FIRE ALARM,
GAMEWELE & CO., N. Y.
Specialties made of
HICKS' REPEATERS, HICKS' RELAYS,
SURE-CONTACT KEY, "NOVELTY" SOUNDER,
Cheap Instruments fo; Learners, Amateurs, &c,
NEW GRAVITY BATTERY,
Hotel and Private House Electric Annytnciators,
BURGLAR AND FIRE ALARMS,
Dial and Printing Instruments for Private Telegraph Lines,
CALL BELLS AND ALARM BELLS of every style.
Batteries, Chemicals, Wire, Insulators,
Supplies , dec., &C.
MODELS and LIGHT MACHINERY made to order.
PRICE LIST.
Hicks' Repeaters (1873.) $100.00
Hicks' Relays from $12.00 to 18.00
Main Line Sounders " 12.00" 19.00
Local Sounders " 3.50" 8-00
Keys... " 3.00" 6.50
Learners' Outfits (complete) " 7.50" 10.00
Dial and Printing Instruments " 75.00 " 225.00
Annunciators, per room " 7.00" 12.00
Burglar Alarms " 50.00 " 200.0
Send for Circulars.
GEO. W. STOCKLY,
Sec'y and Treas.,
No. 4 LEADER BUILDING,
CLEVELAND, O.
R. L. BRADLEY,
No. 9 Exchange Piace,
JERSEY CITY, K. J.,
Has discontinued the manufacture of Telegraph Instruments, aad
is now giving special attention to the manufacture of his
"UNIVERSAL. APPARATUS .
FOB
Electric Measurement,
Which consists of his Tangent Galvanometer anil his f.heostat as
they have been recently im proved, which, taken separately or
unitedly, constitute a means for correctly determining the resist-
ance of all conductors of electricity.; the resistance and insulation
of telegraph wires; the location of breaks, limits, crosses, 4c.; the
relative specific resistance and conductivity of metals and other
conducting materials; the resistance and electro motive force of
batteries; as well as the strength, quantity, or electro-chemical
equivalence of all currents ot dinamic electricity. The capacities
of all other instruments for similar purposes combined, are em-
braced in this one. Its measuremertis are Accurate and absolute,
and are easily read off in British Association units, without the
necessity of arithmetical calculations. It packs in a case seven
inches deep and nine inches diameter, with a handled strap, con-
venient for safe transportation. I'pnsidering the wide range of its
capacity, it is cheaper (ban any other instruments.
Price of apparatus complete, is $200 to $230, according to style,
&c. Price, Tangonl Galvanometers, $-10 to $60.
Descriptive pamphlets may bo had on application.
Ho also pays special attention to the manufacture of his
CELEBRATED HELICES
WHICH ARE OF
Naked -Copper Wire,
So wound that the.oonvolutions are separated from oach other by
a regular and uniform space of the 1 800th of an inch, the layers
separated by thin paper, in Helices of silli insulated wire, the
pare occupied by the I ill Is tho i 150th to the L -800th of i ch;
therefore a spool made of n given length and size of naked wire,
ivlll be smaller and will contain many more convolutions around,
thecorethan one ol Bilk insulated wire, and will make a propoi
tlonably tronger magnet, while the resistance will be i he same.
These Helices are now offered for i lie use of manufacturers of
Telegraphic and Electrical apparatus, and orders will bo filled
promptly and on reasonable terms.
VI
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[January 31, 1814.
THE PERFECT BATTERY.
CLEANLINESS. CONSTANCY. ECONOMY.
TTTATTS & COMPANY,
47 Holli&ay Street,
BALTIMORE,
MANUFACTURERS OF
ELECTRICAL AND TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
AND
Material of Every Description,
RELAYS, KEYS, SOUNDERS, COMBINATION SETS, k, fa.
Nickel Plated Goods a Specialty.
A VERY SUPERIOR MAIN IINE SOUNDER,
ENTIRELY NEW.
SOLE MANUFACTURERS OF THE
LOOKWOOD BATTEET,
PATENTED APRIL 8, 1873,
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO,, Sole Agents,
No. 8 Dey Street, N. Y.
This Battery has been in extended practical use for more than
a year, and is now acknowledged by leading Electricians
in tliis country and Europe to be
FAR SUPERIOR TO ALL OTHERS
for telegraphic purposes, or closed circuits of any description.
This Battery received the FIRST PREMIUM over
all competitors for
POWER, DURABILITY AND ECONOMY
AT THE
CINCINNATI INDUSTRIAL EXPOSITION OF 1878.
The size shown in the cut (No. 2), when charged with 5 lbs.
sulphate of copper per cell, is capable of working two or three
main circuits of average length for MORE THAN ONE YEAR,
without any attention whatever. The copper and zinc solu-
tions are perfectly separated, and there is
NO LOCAL, ACTION,
and the circuit is absolutely uniform at all times. It is
equally well adapted for a
LOCAL BATTERY,
or for any purpose requiring a uniform, powerful and constant
current.
The number 2 size (price $2.50) is now ready for sale Other
Styles are in preparation, and will soon be put on the market.
Send for Circular.
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO. •
8 Dey Street, New York,
S O I_i E ^. O E! 3KT T S .
New Yobk, Oct., 1873.
We have appointed Messrs. L. G. Tillotson & Co. Sole Agents
for the sale of the Lockwood Battery.
LOCKWOOD BATTERY CO.
W. H. Sawyer, Secretary.
o
RTON'S PATENT PENCIL HOLDER.
UK
"SAVE THE PIECES."
This HOLDER is intended to save the last half or third of the
pencil.
DIRECTIONS.
When the pencil becomes too short to write with comfortably,
shave down the butt and screw into, th9 Holder. The screw
makes its own thread, and will hold the pencil perfectly firm.
Price, 25 cents each.
Sent by mail on receipt of price.
Price per doz., 81.80.
Agents for towns, and counties wanted.
GEO. H. BLISS & CO., Gen'l Agents,
41 Third ave., Chicago, 111.
ARTRICK, BUNNELL & CO.'S
CHAMPION LEARNERS
AMD
SHORT LINE TELEGRAPH APPARATUS.
A GREAT IMPROVEMENT
over all Instruments of the kind ever offered for this purpose,
consisting of a
No. 1 SOUNDER AND KEY COMBINATION SET,
AN EXCELLENT BOOK OF PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION IN
TELEGRAPHY,
OFFICE WIRE, CHEMICALS, etc.,
making a complete arrangement for one office.
The Instruments are full sized, complete in every respect. The
Battery is a full sized first class Callaud cell, and the entire outfit
has nothing about it which in any way resembles the many wretched
affairs which have been extensively sold as Learners' Apparatus.
■ % m 11
Price, $5.50 plain ; $7 nickel plated.
The following is from a competent judge, written after some
weeks' trial.
145 Broadway, New York, \
Sept. 22d, 1873. I
Dear Sir— Your circuit-closing attachment on the key, left
with me for trial, is pronounced by all who have used it a de-
cided and much needed improvement on the common form.
Respectfully,
A. S. Brown, Manager.
The Best Form of Battery Insulator Offered.
SIMPLE AND PERFECT.
Made of porcelain, handsome in appearance Occcupies little
more space than the cell it supports. Each cell of battery com-
pletely isolated. Leakage is reduced to the minimum by the
General Superintendent Van Horn, Southern Division W. TJ.
Tel. Co., writes of it : .
" We have now in use a thousand or fifteen hundred of your
battery insulators, and expect to order many more before the
close of the year. . • .
We have never used any battery insulator that equals it in
any respect. In fact, it appears to be as near perfect as we can
reasonably expect,- in a contrivance for that purpose."
Price 40 Cents.
We offer a very excellent article of Galvanized Wire, superior
to any in the market. The linemen on Baltimore and Ohio R.
R. say they have never seen its equal for toughness and
flexibility.
Special attention given to building.
Estimates given for any amount of material for telegraph
construction or extension.
SWITCHES, GALVANOMETERS, RESISTANCE COILS,
&c, to order. ■ . " . , ,
Designs for Switch Boards for special service furnished.
SCOTT'S PATENT ANNUNCIATOR,
for Hotels and Residences.
Great numbers of our "Champion Instruments" are in use
upon short private lines, and upon City wires of Telegraph
Companies, where they are giving the greatest satisfaction, on
account of their very substantial make and excellent working
qualities.
We guarantee them to be in every respect better than any form of
Learners' Apparatus or Short Line Instruments ever offered to the
public. . _ ,.
Price of Apparatus, complete, with Book of Instructions,
Battery Wire, and all necessarv materials for one complete office
outfit, ready for shipment, sent C. O. D., $10— or, if money order
sent for the amount, $9.50. The latter plan will additionally save
the purchaser the express charges for the return of money.
Price of Single Instrument, good for one mile or less, with-
out Battery $8 50
Ornamental style ditto, with rubber covered coils, without
Battery 10 00
Single Instrument, good lor working a line from one to
twelve miles 9 50
Ditto, ornamental, with rubber covered coils 11 00
Battery, per celL. 1 60
PARTRICK, BUNNELL & CO.,
38 SOUTH FOURTH ST., PHILADELPHIA,
MANUFACTURERS OF
TELEGRAPH & ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS
♦and Supplies of every description.
Vol X
New York, Saturday, February 7 ' , 187 Jf.
Whole No. 895
I^HARLES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
109 COURT STREET, BOSTON, MASS.,
MANUFACTURER OF
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
OF ALL KINDS,
OALVANIC BATTERIES,
JONES' PATENT LOCK SWITCH,
PATENT ELECTRIC G-0NG3,
PRINTING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS.
ALSO, ON HAND AND FOR SALE,
D. W. PUTT & CO.'S Mechanical Telegraph
Instruments,
** Pope's Modern Practice of the Electric Telegraph,"
AND A FULL ASSORTMENT OF
TELEGRAPH MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES,
AT THE LOWEST PRICES.
/CANADIAN TELEGRAPH SUPPLY
MANUFACTURING COMPANY,
MANUFACTURERS OF
All kinds of Electrical Instruments
AND
TELEGRAPH SUPPLIES.
All orders promptly filled, at reasonable prices.
Office and Factory,
352 and 354 KING STREET, WEST,
Toronto, Ont.
N
OVELTY!
A SOUNDER of Entirely New Construction,
which gives with the usual amount of battery a very heavy and
olear sound.
Size fob Regular Offices $5 00
8mall Size 3 go
Learners' Outfits, with small size Sounder, Key,
Battery, Chemicals, Wire, Instruction Book, &c,
all complete 7 50
Send for Circular.
TELEGRAPH SUPPLY AND M'F'G 00.,
NO. 4 L-EADER ^UILDING,
CLEVELAND, O.
c
1HARLES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
(ESTABLISHED 1866.)
109 Court Street, Boston,
has for sale the various kinds of Office and Magnet Wires, in-
eluding Cotton Covered, Silk. Gutta Percha, Painted, Fancy, and
DAY'S KERITE COVERED WIRE.
EUGENE F. PHILLIPS,
MANUFACTURES OF
REED & PHILLIPS'
PATENT INSULATED TELEGRAPH WIRES,
(PATENTED, NOVEMBER 18TH, 1873.)
Lock Box 169. PROVIDENCE, R. I.
Having' recently enlarged our factory, we are now prepared
to furnish at short notice any style and quantity of
BRAIDED LIXEN or COTTON COVERED WIRE,
saturated and finished with our Patent Compound, which makes
the most durable, handsome and best insulated Braided Wire
manufactured.
PAINTED, PARAFFINE or SHELLAC WIRES
also furnished at the lowest prices. Iron or Compound Wires
covered upon reasonable terms.
We are also prepared to furnish a new style of
ELECTRIC CORDAGE,
which has been pronounced by all superior to any in the market.
The American District and Gold aud Stock Telegraph Com-
panies have been supplied from my works with a greater
portion of the office wire used by them.
<K5~ Sample Card and Price List furnished when requested.
Phillips' Wire can be had of
L. G. Tillotson & Co New York.
Charles T. Chester "
F. L. Pope & Co "
W. Hockhausen "
Patrick Bunnell & Co Philadelphia.
Watts & Co #. Baltimore.
Charles Williams, Jr Boston.
Thomas Hall "
George H. Bliss <fc Co Chicago.
General Superintendent's Office,
American District Telegraph Co.,
New York, January 1st, 1874.
E. F. Phillips, Esq.
Bear Sir: Your office wire is a decided success. We have
used it exclusively for two years and consider it the best in the
market.
Respectfully,
W. H. SAWYER, Gen'l Snp't.
JOSEPH MOORE & SONS,
(Established 1820,)
535 & 537 CHINA STREET^
(Below Green St.,) PHILADELPHIA, Pa.
MANUFACTURERS OF
INSULATED WIRES.
OFFICE WIRE— Plain, Bratded, Prepared, ho.
INSTRUMENT WIRE— Cotton and Silk Covered, ho.
FLEXIBLE CORDS, all kinds, &c. &c.
We warrant all Wire to be of the highest conductivity, tested
by our Galvanometer, which compares with the teats of the
highest authority In this country.
T
ELEGRAPH POLES
Parties who are in want of good
CEDAR TELEGRAPH POLES,
can obtain them on favorable terms, and have them delivered
at any Lake Port between Oswego and Chicago, on the
ooening of Navigation, by applying to
A. A. COLBY,
P. O. Box 1,376. TORONTO, ONTARIO,
CANADA.
A
NEW GALVANIC BATTERY.
Durability, Efficiency, and Economy of Expense
and Labor at last Secured.
THE EAGLES METALLIC BATTERY,
PATENT APPLIED FOR.
The undersigned having secured the exclusive Agency for the
manufacture and sale of the
EAGLES METALLIC BATTERY,
now offer them to the public as the best Battery for Telegraphic
and other purposes yet devised.
The Battery cell is made of lead, and forms one pole of the
battery. Sulphate of copper is the only chemical required to be
used.
These Batteries have been fully tested during the last year,
although only recently offered for sale, and have proved to be
superior to any other as regards efficiency, economy and dura-
bility. When once set up they require no attention for from
four to six months, according to the service required of them.
Two sizes are made at present, but others will soon be ready.
No. 1 is a large square cell, and can be used as a local or for
running motors. Prioe, $2.25.
On Locals, one No. 1 cell is used in place of two Daniells, at a
saving of nearly one half in cost.
No. 2 is a round cell, designed for main line. Price, $2.
Descriptive circulars and price list forwarded upon applica-
tion to
F. L. POPE & CO.,
(P. O. Box 5603.)
38 VESJET STREET, N. T.
CALLAUD BATTERIES
KEPT ON HAND. AND ORDERS FILLED BY
W. MITCHELL MCALLISTER,
728 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia,
0HARLES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
109 Court Street, Boston,
AND BY THE
WESTERN ELE0TRI0 MANUFACTURING 00.,
AGENTS FOR THE UNITED STATES,
220 East Kinzie Street, Chicago, IU.
ALLAOE & SONS,
MANUFACTURERS OP
BRASS. COPPER & GERMAN SILVER WIRE.
W
AlBO, BRASS, COPPER and GERMAN SILVER,
In the Roll and Sheet
We make the manufacture of Etootric Wire a specialty —
especially the finer sizes of Copper for conduction, and German
Silver for resistance purposes — guaranteeing the conductivity of
the same in every instance to bo superior to that of any other
manufacturer in the market.
WAREHOUSE,
89 Chamber Street, N. T.
MANUFACTORY,
AnsonLa, Conn.
11
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[Feburary *J, 18U.
A LEXANDER L. HAYES,
Late Assistant Examiner of Electrical and Telegraphic Apparatus,
U. S. Patent Office),
SOLICITOR OF PATENTS,
No. 17 PEMBERTON SQUARE,
{Room 12,)
BOSTON, MASS.
s
ECURITY MESSAGE HOOK.
<HE AMATEUR'S
TELEGRAPH APPARATUS.
(Patented April 16th, 1872.)
HHHE BISHOP GUTTA PERCHA WORKS>
4=22, 424, 426 EAST 25th ST., N. Y.
PATENT APPLIED TOE.
The damage from the loss of a single message will equip a Line
many times with our new Hook, which gives great security.
Price 80 cents each.
" per dozen $8.00.
Liberal terms to the trade.
GEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
41 Third Avenue, Chicago, 111.,
General Agents.
s
ECOND-HAND RELAYS.
A large lot of well polished and good working Belays for sale
very cheap ; also, several sets of
SICKS REPEATERS,
in perfect order, at a nominal price.
CEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
• til THIBD AVE., Chicago, 111.
R
USSELLS' AMERICAN
STEAM PRINTING HOUSE
17, 19, 21, 23 EOSE STEBET, near FRAUKFORT,
NEW YORK,
EXECUTES ALL DESCRIPTIONS' OF .
BOOK, JOB AND COMMEEOIAL PBIBTISG.
TELEGRAPH PRINTING A SPECIALTY.
rpHOS. CHALMERS' SONS,
"^ i ' MAKOTACTUBERS OF
ELECTRIC ANNUNCIATORS,
. FOE
HOTELS, DWELLINGS, STEAMSHIPS, YACHTS,
etc., etc.,
AND ALL KINDS OP
ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS,
BELLS, BATTERIES, "WIRE, etc.,
BURGLAR ALARMS, FIRE ALARMS,
79 YABICK STREET, JVEW YOBK.
A HAND-BOOK OF PRACTICAL TELE-
GRAPHY.
By R . S . CULLEY,
ENGINEER TO THE
ELECTRIC AND INTERNATIONAL
TELEGRAPH COMPANY.
Published with the sanction ot the Chairman and Directors of
the Electric and International Telegraph Company, and adopted
by the Department of Telegraphs for India.
FOURTH EDITION,
REVISED AND ENLARGED.
vol. 8vo, cloth $5 00.
Copies sent free by mail on receipt of price.
My new Catalogue of Amprican and Fonign Scientific Boohs
eighty pages, 8vo, sent to any add) ess on receipt of ten cents.
D. VAN N0STEAND, Publisher,
23 MURRAY STREET, N. Y.
This is a bona fide Telegraph Instrument, with a full sized
Trunnion Lever Key, with Friction Circuit Closer and a Pony
Sounder, both on same base.
The Battery used is Hill's Patent Gravity Battery, the moat
constant and economical in use.
With each Instrument is furnished
ONE CUP OF BATTERY,
TWO YARDS OFFICE WIRE,
ONE PACKAGE BLUE VITRIOL,
ONE PACKAGE SULPHATE ZINC,
and a "Manual of the Telegraph," for the instruction of be-
ginners. This is a sufficient outfit for the student.
In operating a short line there will only be required, In
addition to the above, more cups of battery, according to the
length of line.
:<§>:
A COMPLETE OUTFIT FOR A TELEGRAPH OFFICE,
Seven Dollars and Fifty Cents.
Two Sets, complete $14 50
Sounder and Key only 6 60
" " with Cut-out and Lightning Arrester. .. 7 60
We will pay expressage on Amateur Outfits when price is
remitted in Advance.
GEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
SOLE AGENTS,
41 THIRD AVENUE,
Chicago, HI.
SEND FOR CIRCVLAR.
OHAPFNER'S
TELEGRAPH MANUAL.
TO TELEGRAPHISTS.
I am now revising my " TELEGEAPH MANUAL," and desire
to make the work complete in its description of the present
state of
TELECRAPHIC SCIENCE AND ART.
There are some Six Hundred and Twenty-five Blustra-
tions in the Edition ot 1859. and the present comiDg Edition will
contain at least One Thousand, descriptive of the latest
improvements.
At present it is my design to issue two Volumes, containing
about 600 pages each, separating the Historical from the Ope-
rative.
I will thank any one for information suitable for such a work.
Would like drawings and description of apparatuses.
Respectfully,
TAL. P. SHAFFNEE,
78 and 80 Broadway^
NEW YORK.
S. BISHOP, Proprietor,
ONLY MANUFACTURER
OF
PURE GUTTA PERCHA GOOD
IN THE
UNITED STATES.
"jl/TODERN PRACTICE OF THE ELEC-
p-"" TRIO TELEGRAPH.
A HAND-BOOK
FOB
ELECTRICIANS AND OPERATORS.
By FRANK L. POPE.
Seventh Edition, Revised and Enlarged by the addition of 40
pages of New Matter on
RECENT IMPROVEMENTS,
FULLY ILLUSTRATED.
8vo, cloth.', .....
jpa.oo
46g- Copies sent free by mail on receipt of price.
My new Catalogue of American and Foreign Scientific Books
sent per mail, on rect-ipt uf ten cents.
D. VAN NOSTRAND, Publisher,
23 MURRAY STREET and 27 WARREN STREET.
Has also on hand, and makes to order,
SUBMARINE CABLES, OFFICE CABLES, AND INSULATED
WIRES OF EVERT VARIETY,
FOB
TELEGRAPH, UNDERGROUND AND ELECTRIC USE.
Fuse Wires, Leading and Connecting Wires for SUBMARINE
and MINING PURPOSES.
Also, a NEW COMPOUND (thoroughly tested) for underground
and out-door use.
Cotton, Linen, Silk and Fibre covered Wires for
MAGNET AND OFFICE USE,
of any pattern or style.
OFFICE WIRES,
Cotton and Gutta Percha covered, with any number of conductors
required.
Gutta Percha and Cotton covered Wires for HOTEL ANNUN~
CTATORS, ELECTRIC BELLS and BURGLAR ALARMS.
Has on hand and makes to order
SUBMARINE CABLES, INSULATED WIRES, for
TELEGRAPH AND ELECTRIC USE*
AND FOB
BLASTING AND MINING PURPOSES,
In every variety desired.
As an Insulation for Telegraph Cables and Electric Conductors
Gutta Percha has been universally adopted by all scientific and
practical Electricians and Manufacturersof Telegraph Cables and
Wires in this country and Europe, and has sustained, with In=
creasing superiority in the practical test of over twenty-five
years' general use.
The PROPRIETOR will guarantee, to all parties purchasing
SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH CABLES,
to make and deliver at his Factory any style of Cable. Insulated
with Outta Percha, as low as they can import Cable of the same
style and quality, and in half the lime required to import them.
CABLES OF ONE MILE OR LESS manufactured and de-
livered at one week's notice.
ORDERS RECEIVED AT THE FACTORY.
Messrs. L. G. TELLOTSON & CO.,
8 BEY STREET, NEW YORK,
have been appointed by me GENERAL AGENTS for the sale of
any Telegraph Cable or Wire manufactured at the Works in New
York, at Factory Prices, delivered In New York.
JOHN TH0KNLEY, 503 Chestnut St., Philadelphia,
has been appointed Agent for the sale of any and all goods manu.
factured by me, at Factory Prices, delivered in New York.
Any Goods manufactured (except Telegraph Goods) are fop
sale in New York by
SARGENT & STUDLEY, 26 Park Place,
RUBBER CLOTHING CO.. 363 Broadway,
D. HODGMAN & CO., 27 Maiden Lane,
' SHEPARD &. DUDLEY, 150 William St,
Address all Communications to
S. B I IS H o r,
* OFFICE AT FACTOR*.
February Y, 1814.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
31
The Telegrapher
A- Journal of
ELECTRICAL PROGRESS.
J. N. ASHLEY,
PUBLISHER.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1814.
VOL. X.
WHOLE No. 395.
[From The GJwst.]
Telegraphic Lays.
It was thought some years ago, when a celebrated
blacking house in the City of London advertised " We
keeps a poet," that blacking was tending upward, and
that the makers of that convenient compound were
enterprising who could afford to make a raid into the
realm of the Muses, and keep up unfaltering chase of
the Parnassian heights, until a full fledged singer was
overtaken and brought to London to chant the praise
of prosaic blacking. But in this enlightened day every
blacking establishment might employ a versifier, with-
out the trouble even of invading the enchanted enclo-
sure of the Nine, for their name is legion who slip
astride their Pegasus, and cavort about the arena of
questionable verse in a manner as wayward and free
as that which characterized Mr. Wegg,who, as all will
remember, professionally " declined and fell, and, in a
friendly way, dropped into poetry" for the edification
of good Mr. and Mrs. Boffin. The editor of this vera-
cious chronicle finds that in our own midst we have a
number who write lines of considerable merit, but so
numerous are his friends who have
" Sighed o'er Delphi's long deserted shrine,"
that he will not attempt to give the names of these
" celebrated composers," lest he may make some errors
in fixing the authorship. In a little book which lies
before us we find the following :
In theory the city line
May be considered very fine ;
But to be gobbled every day.
And from my post be sent away,
And shifted till I'm tired, I vow,
A victim of caprice, I " swow,"
Is not so hue, you'll all allow;
But to imperious Fate I bow.
Though my young years do count but few,
It seems as if the Wandering Jew
Had in me found his modern mate —
For ever has it been my fate,
Not only eight days out of nine
To wander 'bout the city line,
But on tne ninth to wander back.
Aud at " Bn " to take a crack.
Now Downer orders me on six —
'Tis always in a fearful mix —
Aud then I'm sent on fifty-one,
A place I love to rest upon;
But Fate conspires, and soon I pine
Again upon the city line.
And so it's been " from childhood's hour,"
"1 never loved a tree or flower"
But off I wandered like a star,
Always " so near and yet so far."
A night man, who worked on the " Eries '' before Mr.
Smith went on the " South," tells his experience in the
following manner :
"SUBBING" ON THE WEST.
When you work upon the " West,"
Oh 1 minions of the night,
Have a care for Smith, the chief.
If you tend to biz, however,
Tou are sure to be all right;
But don't go prowling round,
Or you'll surely come to grief.
One dingy afternoon I engaged myself to serve
For one Harris, who with Krie No. 7 had to do;
And I strolled about the room my spirits to preserve,
And passed my time away in "chinning " one or two.
But no matter where I went I met Gerrit everywhere;
And he smiled a funny way, and propounded me this query,
Till I " tumbled to myself," as our friend Melnotte would say,
" Let's see, how's this, ain't you working 7 Erie?"
Yes, ye minions of the night.
When you " spoop " in the broad day,
Skin your orb lor Smith, the chief.
If you tend to biz, however,
, You are sure to be all right,
But don't go prowling round,
Else *' Ain't you Erie " grief.
Prom the " Line Men's Book " for last year we take
the following:
When men are sent out on the wires
Armed with a coil, and spurs and pliers,
With carb the chiefs will, In this tome,
Note when they start, and when come home.
If e'er they should o'erstay their time,
And make their claims they had to climb
The largest pole within the town.
The chiefs will also note this down.
But if the fragrance of the cup
Should spoil their tale of climbing up,
The same will on this record go,
That Captain Mcintosh may know.
A branch office man amused himself on New Tear's
Day, which he put in at "No. 145," evolving the ap-
pended, which was found on the back of a blank on the
table where he had been put down " to do his work-
ing:"
This winsome, gladsome, gay New Year,
Sans whiskey, brandy, wine or beer,
Is quickly passing while we're here
Hard working.
I know this life is one of woe —
At least I've always found it so —
But yet I cannot blame the Co.
For workiug.
For if I had in seventy-three
Saved spondulix sufficiently,
I could have hired a sub, you see,
To do my working.
But this is but a vain regret:
Yet during seventy-four, you bet.
I'll steadily keep out of debt
And save my money.
In parting with his desk diary an operator waxes
sentimental, and, with a lingering, longing look, he re-
linquishes it with the following very creditable verse :
Adieu, old book! thy work is done!
Thy record of this busy wire
Is all complete, and on my lyre
A parting song I sing. Adieu !
Adieu forever that long, endless day
Which brings no hope' Away ! away !
And now again farewell;
" And if forever, then forever
Fare thee well."
Here is a little one] for a cent, which was floating
around at Christmas:
To add to the joy of your Christmas bliss
I hereby send you an electric kiss.
, May it gladden your heart and brighten your eye
' 'Tiil I exchange it for a real one bye-and-bye.
[From the Iron Age.]
Automatic Semaphore R. R. Signals.
To the Editor of the Iron Age.
The article describing Robinsou's Electric Railroad
Signals, in your paper of January 8th, contains some
statements calculated to convey an erroneus impres-
sion in regard to the origin of the system of operating
automatic semaphoric signals, by making use of the
ordinary rails of .the track as electric conductors. After
giving three distinct and very excellent reasons why
the so-called wire systems previously in use "are ex-
tremely limited in their functions, and may, under cer-
tain circumstances, show a safety signal when the dan-
ger actually exists which they are designed to avert,"
you add : "Mr. Robinson early recognized the above
serious objections as inseparable from the wire system
of signaling, and his efforts to overcome them have re-
sulted in the present rail system."
In reply to this statement I would say that in Feb-
ruary, 1870, 1 was employed by Mr. A. E. Beach, of
the Scientific American, to arrange an electric signal-
ing apparatus for the Broadway Pneumatic Railroad.
The car was driven by a stationary blowing engine,
and it was necessary to automatically give a signal to
the engineer when the car reached the remote end of
the tunnel, so that he might reverse the blower. I con-
nected the battery to the rails in such a manner that
the wheels of the car would complete the circuit and
operate an electric bell during its passage over a cer-
tain section of the track. This apparatus was in op-
eration for some months, and was seen by hundreds of
people. It subsequently occurred to me that the same
principle might be applied to ordinary railroads, and I
found by calculation that it ought to be practical to
convey an electric current through a line offish-jointed
rails for at least two or three miles, even in wet weather.
I tested this idea in the summer of 1870, on the line of
the New Jersey Railroad, for a distance of between one
and two miles, and proved by actual experiment that
a strong current could be conveyed at least that dis-
tance, and a magnet operated without serious difficulty.
Having satisfied myself in regard to this fundamental
point, the arranging of a signal to be controlled by the
magnet was obviously a matter of no great difficulty.
I was then actively engaged in other business, which I
disposed of in May, 1871, in order to develop my pro-
posed system of signaling. I worked out the details
of my plan, and, on the 19th of September, 1871, 1
filed an application for a U. S. patent, in which I pro-
posed to use the rails in sections of a mile or more in
length — of the practicability of which my earlier experi-
ments had satisfied me. By November T had made
a successful experiment on a New England railroad,
where the apparatus remained for some months, and
was examined by a considerable number of people. In
this experiment I employed the rail circuit in combina-
tion with both a stationary alarm and a semaphoric
signal, and, so far as I can ascertain, T was the first to
do this.
It seems quite certain that up to about this time Mr.
Robinson had not the slightest conception even of the
possibility of operating signals successfully by rail cir-
cuit; for, in an article published over his own signature
in the American Artisan of September 6. 1871, he says •
"Albert Horwood received a patent in 1861 for a device
" in which he used three insulated rails, about as long
" as ordinary rails ; these he placed longitudinally be-
" tween the rails of the track. Two upright bars on tke
" engine came in contact with these rails, closed the
" circuit, and operated the instruments at the station.
"It was only necessary that a careless laborer should
" connect two of the insulated rails In/ a shovel full of
" moist earth, or that a mischievous boy should place a
" wet stick across them, in order to operate the instru-
"ments at the station. This, of course, is an insur-
" mountable difficulty in this invention."
If Mr. Robinson at this time supposed that a single
wet stick laid across the rails would operate the instru-
ment, it is reasonable to suppose that the idea of ope-
rating a signal through a mile of rails, connected
together by 2,640 "wet sticks " — which is actually the
case in the rail system on a rainy day — must have
appeared to him so wildly absurd as to be utterly
unworthy of consideration ! Even so late as November,
1871, Mr. Robinson was still at work endeavoring to
perfect his wire system and lever circuit closers, after
my application for a patent on the rail circuit had been
before the office for nearly two months. But on the
6th of December, 1871, after accounts of my experiments
had been published, and had become a matter of com-
mon report in railroad circles, Mr. Robinson also
applied for a patent on the rail circuit, differing from
mine only in the arrangement of the connections, so that
the magnet would be unmade instead of made by the
passage of the train. My patent was granted July 16,
1872, and reissued October 21,1873, and covers broadly
the combinations above referred to. I certainly have
no desire to detract from any credit that may be justly
due Mr. Robinson ; but, as a matter of justice to my-
self, it seems proper to make public the above state-
ment of facts. Very truly yours,
Prank L. Pope,
Engineer Electric R. R. Signal Co.,
January, 23, 1874. 38 Vesey street, N. T.
A Noble Opportunity Lost.
We have now in progress, in the City of New York
and elsewhere, several massive and imposing structures,
which, though belonging to private individuals or cor-
porations, may, nevertheless, from their position and
the objects for which they are intended, be justly re-
garded as public buildings. Prominent amongst these
is the building; which is now being erected at the corner
of Dey street and Broadway, in this city, for the use of
the "Western Union Telegraph Company. In its pro-
portions and the massiveness which characterizes every
part, it promises to be one of the finest structures in
the city. There is no sham work about the materials
or the mode in which they are put together. Some
idea may be formed of its size when we say that it is
very nearly one half larger than the well known build-
ing of the Equitable Life Insurance Company; that
there are ten stories, the height to the top of the pavil-
ion roof being 174 feet, while the top of the clock
tower, which, by the way, is to be accessible, is 216
feet above the level of the sidewalk. As a means of
comparison, we may also state that the height of the
spire of Trinity Church is 286 feet. The material is
granite, brick and iron : and, from the well known
wealth and liberality of the company, it is to be pre-
sumed that the architect has been untrammelled by
any considerations of mere cost. The object was to
produce a structure in which might be transacted the
business of one of the richest and most important cor-
porations in this country or in the world — a corporation
whoso relations to the public are as intimate and as ex-
tended as those of the post-office itself; and whose
functions, whether under Government control or in
private hands, can never be dispensed with. It does
not require any elaborate argument, therefore, to show
that a building suited practically and sesthetically to
the purposes of such a corporation should present a
massive and imposing appearance; that it should de-
pend for its effect rather upon a grand simplicity than
upon intricate tracery, and that the colors should bo
quiet and subdued. And now what has the architect
given us ? Something which can be compared to no
other object so well as to a gigantic barber's polo, with
horizontal instead of diagonal stripes! Every passer
by who possesses the slightest degree of correct taste,
must be disgusted with the bizarre appearance pre-
sented by this structure, and must regret beyond
measure the loss of the fine opportunity that was there
presented for the erection of a building that would have
done us credit. — Industrial. Monthly.
32
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[February 7, 18*14.
Decision of the Postmaster General Regarding
Government Messages.
Post-office Department, )
Washington, D. C, January 16, 1874. $
Sir: Tour letter of the 13th instant states that in
consequence of a difference in construction of the rules
established by this department, relative to the com-
putation of distances, your accounts for Government
messages have in some cases been subject to reduction ;
that messages between St. Paul and points on the Plains
have to go hy way of Chicago, and thence to Omaha
and destination, involving repetitions, while the post
route may be nearly direct ; that all messages for the
Pacific Coast have been sent to San Francisco, and re-
sent from that point; that you charge from Washing-
ton to San Francisco 3,123 miles, and from San Fran-
cisco to San Diego 517 miles, making 3,640 miles or 15
circuits, while you are allowed only for the direct dis-
tance from "Washington to San Diego, 3,199 miles, or 13
circuits ; and inquires whether it was the design of the
Department to limit the compensation of telegraph
companies to air-line distances.
In section second of the act approved July 24th,
1866, being the act under which the rates of telegraph-
ing are fixed by the department, it is enacted that tele-
graphic communications between the several depart-
ments of the Government and its officers and" agents,
shall " in their transmission over the lines of said com-
panies " have priority, etc. This language itself defines
the route; that is, that it is to be " over the lines of the
oompanies ;" and, consequently, excludes the idea of air
line distances or routes over which there are no tele-
graph lines. I consider, therefore, that the companies
may properly charge for the distance actually traversed
by the message, although the mail route may be more
direct. While the direct distance from Washington to
San Diego is less than that by way of San Francisco, the
latter route is the usual course of the mail, for the
reason that it is the most convenient and expeditious in
point of time. While I think it is right that the com-
panies should charge for the distance over their lines, I
hold that where there are two lines between the same
points they are not to be allowed to subject the Govern-
ment to unnecessary expense by charging for the
greater distance.
Yery respectfully,
Your ob't servant,
(Signed), Jno. A. J. Creswell,
Postmaster General.
Leonard Whitney, Esq.,
Manager Western Union Telegraph, Co.,
Washington, D. C.
The " ends of the earth " are here literally brought to-
gether, and here meet and mingle the thoughts and
purposes of men separated by all the oceaus and conti-
nents of the earth. — Chicago Railway Revieic.
The Electric Telegraph on the Gold Coast,
Africa.
A large number of men, of all colors, castes and
creeds, are employed under the Eoyal Engineers in the
construction of the land telegraph lines on the Gold
Coast. Wherever it is practicable trees are substi-
tuted for telegraph posts without cutting them down.
By means of the light wire and small insulators sent out
from Henley's Telegraph Factory at ISTorth Woolwich,
these men, with no other tools than a light ladder,
large gimlet, a handsaw and axe, can complete six
miles of line per day when the way is tolerably clear
through the bush. The number of insulators and tree
posts per mile varies according to the nature of the
ground. The average on level ground is eighteen in-
termediate and three straining posts per mile, which
makes a span of eighty-four yards, and on hilly and
difficult ground there are as many as twenty-six posts
to the mile, and, in exceptional instances, there are
spans of two hundred yards. The telegraph apparatus
employed in the Gold Coast expedition against the
Ashantees is the invention of Sir Charles Wheatstone,
and is contained in a compact box, thirteen inches long,
eight inches broad and seven inches deep, the weight
of the whole being under twenty-five pounds. The
electric power is derived from a permanent magnet
withiu the instrument, a constant series of currents
from which is obtained by a; rotation of a small iron
armature placed before its poles and turned by a handle
in front. The signals are made by successive depres-
sions of lettered finger keys arranged round the dial
plate. By means of these instruments camp and field
messages can be transmitted, at the rate of twenty
words per minute, a distance of one hundred or two
hundred miles. The object in erecting the field tele-
graph is that of making known the enemy's position or
numerical strength, to order arms and reinforcements
from distant stations, and to control any military and
strategic movements found necessary in the war on the
Gold Coast with the Ashantees. It is the first time
field telegraphy has been employed by the English in
actual warfare.
In my communication of January 12th it was stated
that arrangements had been made for the transfer to the
Western Union Telegraph Company of all the weather
reports, etc., of the Signal Bureau. This arrangement
has been consummated', and from and after last evening
this business, which has heretofore been divided between
the Western Union and competing lines, will all be
done over the former. The consolidation of the Pacific
and Atlantic lines broke up some of the circuits as
previously established, and made it very inconvenient
for the the bureau to transact its business, and inter-
fered with the prompt transmission of some of the
reports, so that the change was rather forced upon the
chief signal officer. This is another demonstration
of the necessity for a consolidation of the lines and
interests competing with the Western Union into one
organization, and the extension of the system until it
becomes really national, and able to compete effectively
for the telegraph business of the country. Capitol.
The Western Union Chicago Office.
The City of Chicago has 75 miles of poles and 700
miles of wire (of Western Union proper) ( within the
metropolitan limits, with 68 branch offices — 28 regular
Western Union and 40 Metropolitan. The main offices
occupy a large portion of the block on the southwest
corner of Washington and La Salle streets. In the
basement are the District Superintendent's offices and
the receiving department; on the second floor the
General Superintendent's office and the office of the
Associated Press; and the entire fifth floor, one hun-
dred feet square, is occupied by the operating depart-
ment. The wires are brought into the building on a
new plan — being carried from the poles above the
neighboring blocks to a central tower, through which
they drop down in a circular cluster to the operating
room. They already number 250, and the tower has a
capacity for 750 wires. The wires are for the most
part steel covered with copper. On entering the tower
they strike the " lightning arrester," by which the at-
mospheric electricity is carried off to the ground. The
wires are exposed in their whole length after entering
the building, facilitating changes and repairs. At-
tached to each wire is a metallic tag, corresponding to
another on the corner poles, giving the title of the wire.
There are connected with the operating department
two battery rooms, which the wires enter in a cluster.
In the local battery room there are two jars to each
instrument worked, giving increased force and louder
sound, enabling the operator to read by ear. In the
main battery room are five separate batteries — the
largest of 60 cups, the smallest of 25 — from which all
the wires are worked. The transition from the quiet
of the battery department to the din of the great ope-
rating room is no more striking to the ear than impres-
sive to the imagination. This room is nerer closed ;
every moment, all the year round, and from year to
year, the scores of instruments are vocal with their
sign language, and the tones of each are lost in the
incessant hum of all. Here are ninety-five employes,
busy day and night — about fifty constituting the ope-
rating day force — these little instruments, making
audible the otnmnresence of this electric potency;
through them day uttereth speech unto day, and night
unto night showeth forth knowledge, until now there
ie no language or land where their voice is not heard.
■Ve do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our
Correspondents. Our columns are open to free discussions
on all Telegraphic subjects, without distinction of person or
opinion.
No notice will be taken of anonymous communications.
Congress and the Telegraph.
Washington, D. C, Feb. 4.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
Our friend Mr. Gardner T. Hubbard was afforded an
opportunity to reply to the arguments of Mr. Orton be-
fore the Senate Post-office Committee last week, and
repeated his arguments and statistics in favor of his
scheme for establishing a private telegraph monopoly
in company with the Government, with which the
" constant reader '" of The Telegrapher is so familiar.
It is hardly worth while to reproduce them at this
time. The committees of Congress and the public are
so thoroughly weary of the subject that the re-
cent discussion has attracted very little attention here,
as is manifest from the fact that although the hearings
before the Senate Committee were public, the news-
paper correspondents and reporters did not honor them
with their presence, and they have been accorded the
briefest possible notice in the reports of the Associated
Press.
Our amiable friend Gobright, the manager of the
Associated Press bureau here, despite his desire to
accommodate all who have "items" to communicate,
looks glum when Hubbard or the postal telegraph are
mentioned, and would, no doubt, with character-
istic piety, were it not for his repugnance to saying or
doing anything that could give offence, pray " Good
Lord deliver me " from any further knowledge or men-
tion of this threadbare subject. As for the other
correspondents and reporters, they quietly ignore the
whole matter, and if it is brought to their notice, are
compelled at once to leave in pursuit of an item or an
" interview " which cannot be neglected for a moment.
It must be confessed that your correspondent, and, I
doubt not, most of your readers, have a similar feel-
ing, but The Telegrapher, as a telegraphic journal,
must be kept informed on all matters pertaining to the
art or business.
The Senate yesterday adopted a resolution authoriz-
ing the presiding officer to appoint an operator for the
Senate wing of the Capitol for the departmental tele-
graph line.
An Oregon Telegrapher's Trip.
Albany, Oregon, January 16.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
" A long time I ho see you," as our Mongolian neigh-
bors say.
Since our last we have been off on a " trip for our
health," over the Puget Sound country, and if the items
enclosed are of auy interest to the readers of our paper,
they are welcome to them.
January 1st we left Albany and struck down the E.
R. to Portland, thence down the mighty " River of
the West " for Kalemo, W. T., the headquarters of the
Pacific Division of the Northern Pacific R. R.
Arriving there in company with Mr. Sheridan, W. U
operator, we found friend Fagan in charge of the R. R.
office. We gently intimated that we were not averse
to accepting a pass to Tacoma (the terminus) and re-
turn. He opened his heart, and in a short time we
were in possession of two pieces of paper that are a
" g-o-o-d thing to travel on."
Leaving Kalemo we started down the bank of the
Columbia River, and thence up the Cowlitz through a
country that could with the greatest of propriety be
called well wooded, watered, and very " hilly." The
road is a splendid piece of work, but how it is to be
supported from the country around and adjoining is
more than we can imagine.
A sixty mile ride brought us out into the first prai-
rie we had seen since leaving Kalemo, and six miles
more to Tenino, the point we "lit out " at, as we
wanted to visit Olympia, the capital of the Territory.
Horror ! At Tenino we found that to reach Olympia
a stage ride of sixteen miles awaited us. We started
out in the most awful snow storm I have ever seen on
this coast, and, to make it worse, it was freezing hard.
This was nice for Oregonians who knew little or noth-
ing about snow and ice !
Olympia was finally reached after four hours' ride
over a terrible mountain road. This is a very pretty
little town of 2,500 inhabitants. It is situated at
Budd's Inlet, an arm of Puget Sound, one and a half
miles below the extreme head of tide water. There is
a great deal of business done here. Stepping into a
telegraph office we found Mr. H. H. Pitts, a pleasant
gentleman and first class telegrapher, in charge.
Sunday morning at 8 o'clock, by the steamer
Zephyr we started down the Sound — giving up our pro-
posed trip to Yictoria and British Columbia on account
of severe weather. After visiting Steilacoom, the old-
est town in the territory, we reached Tacoma, the
" terminus " of the 2J". P. R. R-, so much talked
about, where we take the first through passenger train
from Puget Sound to the Columbia River.
Here on Puget Sound is to be found some of the
largest saw mills in the world, cutting from 60,000 to
150,000 feet of lumber each day. Ships are continually
loading here for all parts of the world. The Tacoma
mills keep in active operation, for their own use, a line
of telegraph from Tacoma to Steilacoom, where it con-
nects with the through wire. The Puget Sonnd Tele-
graph Company was organized for the purpose of con-
necting all the different mills on the Sound b and local
business, and is doing well.
There is bound to be a big city somewhere on this
Sound, as the water is very deep, averaging from 60 to
200 feet up to within 20 or 30 feet of the shore ;
and, as it is protected by hills from high winds, it
makes the finest harbor known ; and, for size, all the
ships that sail the seas could be put inside this harbor.
If auy of our eastern operators want to " invest," let
them watch the progress of things, and put their
money in the to be city of the United States— so the
Puget Sound people say.
At Tacoma the Railroad Company have built a
large depot, buildings, offices and hotel. I understand
that in the spring the headquarters will be moved to
Tacoma from Kalema.
Our old friend, J. B. Whittlesey, is manager, and is
managing to exist on a "hundred a month." " Whit."
is an ola timer, and looks ju6t as he did years ago
February 7, 1814.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
33
when he used to give " Webfoot " H— lifax for break-
ing in on press, when the aforesaid " Webfoot " was
"beginning " on the old string from Portland to San
Francisco.
A splendid double wire line has been thoroughly
built fromKalemo to Tacoma, under the supervision of
Mr. F. W. Lamb, formerly Superintendent of the
fourth district of the W. U. Telegraph Company.
The following are the operators on the N. P. E. R. :
Kaleino— 0. E. Pagan, chief operator and Superintend-
ent, pro tern. — no train despatcher or Superintendent
having been appointed as yet. Cowlitz, Edward Va-
liere, agent and operator ; Oleque, Edward Stevens,
agent and operator ; Tenino, Chas. C. Hogue, agent and
operator ; and last, but not least in size or ability, J.
B. "Whittlesey, Tacoma.
Por favors"received on this little run we desire to re-
turn our sincere and heartfelt thanks to Chas. D. Pa-
ling, Superintendent Telegraph, 0. & C. R. R., Port-
land, Oregon ; C. E. Pagan, chief operator, and Gen'l
J. W. Sprague, Gen'l Supt. X. P. R. R. ; C. C. Hogue,
Tenino, and J. B. Whittlesey, Tacoma.
Boys, as ye have done unto me so shall it be done
unto you if you ever come my way ; and the remem-
brance of your kindness will ever be fresh in the mem-
ory of Webfoot.
J *—*
Inspection of the Arizona Military Telegraph
Line.— A New Consolidated Office.
San Diego, Cal., Jan. 10.
To the Editoe or The Telegrapher.
The pressure of business has been so great lately as
to interfere with my purpose of keeping The Tele-
grapher posted in regard to telegraph matters in this
section of the country. At length I have been able to
find a few moments of leisure which I can devote to
you.
Capt. George P. Price, of the fifth Cavalry, TJ. S. A.,
is now on a tour of inspection of the new military line
connecting Arizona with San Diego.
The offices of the Western Union and United States
military telegraphs here have been consolidated, and
placed under the management of Mr. W. E. Smith. A
handsome office has been fitted up for their joint occu-
pancy. The receiving and operating room, are all in
one, with a sleeping room in the rear, and another
room for the battery, near the latter.
The operating room is fitted up with Boston tables,
with the wires run under the floor, so as to be out of
the way and out of sight. Upon one wall of the ope-
rating room there is a splendid chromo (thirty-six by
thirty inches) of Stanley's Indian Telegraph, which
represents a scene near Gila Bend, Arizona Territory.
On a high pedestal of rocks on the eastern bank of the
river two Apache chiefs are seen — one signaling with a
naming, smoking torch, while the other watches for the
reply seen curling up in the dim distance. The air in
Arizona is so clear that these signals can be seen for a
long distance ; in fact, one of the main causes of defeat
of the United States soldiers operating against the Apa-
ches has been the information of their coming con-
veyed by this system of visual telegraphy. The new
Morse telegraph line has rendered this system of little
use to the Indians in the future. With the aid of the
telegraph we will be able to keep peace in the rich but
Apache cursed territory of Arizona.
Upon another wall is exhibited a handsome litho-
graph of the new Western Union New York office,
now in course of construction, surmounted by a bracket
supporting the bust of Prof. Morse. Upon the other
walls are displayed a view of the San Francisco West-
ern Union office, several locomotives of Eastern rail-
roads, etc., pleasant reminiscences of old times to the
employes and others.
Altogether it is the neatest and most completely
fitted up telegraph office I ever saw — combining the
conveniences and improvements which have been
from time to time introduced into different offices. It
is a comfortable and attractive office for the employes
as well as the public, and calculated to make the for-
mer contented, and willing to remain permanently
where they are so well situated.
The citizens generally are greatly pleased with the
improvement, and consider it a credit to their young
but important and growing city. More anon.
Clix.
How Two R. R. Telegraph Sup'ts Conspired to
Fleece a Victim.
Nkwark, N. J., Jan. '.U.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
The communication from " Centripetal," in your last
issue, and your editorial comments upon the " Conspir-
acy to Oppress Telegraph Employes," brings to mind
a sample of the policy pursued by the Superintendent
of an important railroad telegraph line in this vicinity.
At the junction of the Central Railroad of New Jersey
with the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western R. R. an
operator was employed who performed joiut duties for
both companies, and drew a portion of his salary from
each. The Central R. R. paid him $25 per month, and
the D. L. & W. $35, making a grand total of $60 for
thirty days, of twelve hours each. The former operator
retired from this lucrative position after saving up a suffi-
cient competency to provide against want in his old age.
But his successor being in more of a hurry to get rich,
endeavored to secure an advance of $10 per month from
the Central R. R. His avarice hastened his downfall,
for it brought to the immediate attention of the Super-
intendent the fact that his salary was even then $10
above the standard adopted for men in his position.
In order to restore the equilibrium his monthly stipend
was reduced to $20 per month on the part of the Central
R. R., and the Sup't doubtless thought that he could
easily induce the Sup't of the D. L. and W. to cut away
a corresponding slice from the salary paid by that
Company. In this he was for a time unsuccessful, but
by continued perseverance, worthy of a better cause,
he eventually succeeded beyond his expectations, the
D. L. and W. Co. reducing his pay to $25, leaving him
the munificent sum of $45 per month. It is a source of
gratification to be able to state that the young man
shortly after secured a position on another line, and
has thus escaped from the combination which endeav-
ored to swindle him out of $15 per month.
I hope you will not overlook the fact that in this
instance it was only through the connivance of the
officials of two different companies that this result was
accomplished. One of these worthies acts also as an
assistant to D. H. Bates, and hereafter, when you have
occasion to work out a problem of meanness, you can
adopt as your formula, Eckert, Bates, Puller — mean,
meaner, meanest. Redlight.
♦*-•
Topics of General Telegraphic Interest Discussed.
To the Editor of the Telegrapher.
The correspondence columns of The Telegrapher
are read by myself, and probably by most of those who
receive the paper, with great interest, and although the
ideas of some of the writers are crude and not well con-
sidered, they are all valuable as reflecting the opinions
and sentiments of those practically engaged in tele-
graphic pursuits. The policy of the paper in giving to
all an opportunity to be heard, and to make known their
views and sentiments, is undoubtedly the true one, and
is one of the reasons for its popularity among the prac-
tical telegraphers of the country.
It must be confessed that lately I have not taken as
much interest as formerly in the discussion of the Tel-
egraphers' Association question, as there seems to be lit-
tle that is new to be said, and no indication of any real
purpose or determination to establish a new organiza-
tion. Until some flagrant and general system of op-
pression of the fraternity is developed, it is not probable
that any effective movement in that direction can be
successfully made. On the abstract proposition that
such an organization or association, carefully and intel-
ligently devised, would be advantageous to the em-
ployes and employers, there is, probably, among the
practical thinking members of the fraternity, little di-
versity of opinion; but this seems not likely, for the
present at least, to take practical shape. So long as no
one is prepared to take the lead in such an organiza-
tion, I, for one, cannot see any prospect of its being
established.
The matter of insufficient and inadequate compensa-
tion of telegraphic employes has occupied, I would be
afraid to estimate how many columns of The Tele-
grapher.
It seems to me, however, that most of those who
write upon this subject take a very partial and limited
view of it, and do not usually generalize upon it at all.
They seem to look at and consider only individual
cases, and that usually their own, and do not take into
account the fact that in averaging compensation of
employes telegraph managers have many things to
consider. While it is true that in many cases tele-
graph employes are insufficiently compensated, in more
the individuals concerned receive much more than
they could obtain in other employments. Telegraphy,
of late years at least, has not apparently proved very
remunerative to the investors in telegraph property,
and it is a question whether commercial telegraph
companies can afford to pay higher salaries than they
do. The trouble, it appears to me, is not that the
amount expended in telegraphic salaries is inadequate,
but that it is not properly apportioned, some receiving
more than their ability and proficiency entitle them
to, while others are underpaid. One of the principal
advantages to be derived from a telegraphic associa-
tion would be, by cooperation between employes and
managers, to classify situations, operators and salaries,
so that they should bo more properly arranged than at
present.
There are other subjects which have been and are
being discussed in the columns of The Telegrapher
and among operators which I should like to consider,
but probably sufficient space has been occupied for the,
present. If this communication is favorably received,
I may hereafter offer you some further considerations
on topics of general telegraphic interest for publication.
Practical Telegrapher.
Telegraphers Not so Bad as Represented.
To the Editor op The Telegrapher.
As I have just finished reading The Telegrapher,
and turn back the leaves, my eye falls upon the commu-
nication with the signature of " Nettie Bronson," and
of course, I have to read it again. I heard it said by a
brother operator last night that he should not be much
surprised if that was a fictitious name for some young
operator that wanted to be a girl, but could not, so he
assumes a girl's name. Now, if the writer of these
communications is truly a girl, I look upon them with
admiration, and have no doubt but what I would also
admire the bearer of that name if I could see her. If
the writer is some male operator with that signature,
he is very low, in my estimation, and is unworthy of
being recognized by his brother operators ; but I trust
and hope no person so frivolous ever learned the art of
telegraphy. What Nettie says about drinking, chewing
and smoking is perhaps true in her case, as far as she
knows, but I do not think she is acquainted with tele-
graph operators very extensively, for I know several
that neither smoke, chew nor drink, and I think can all
say No with courage equal to that of myself, for
instance. I neither smoke, chew nor drink, and, in fact,
never was the possessor of any of those filthy articles
which, when used by man, make him a beast. If I have
been asked to drink and smoke once I have been asked
the same question a thousand times, and, thank God, I
have the courage to say no unflinchingly, and without
the least hesitation, and always have bad that courage,
and trust and hope I always will. Our friend " Frankie "
would feel taken down a little if Nettie should happen
to be an old maid of about thirty-five, for she must be
getting pretty well along in years, and wants to get
married pretty badly, or she would not be so particular
about his being married. I am sorry to hear that Miss
Nettie talks of bidding us farewell on account of
financial troubles. If she cannot really afford to take
The Telegrapher, I will be one of eight persons to
send it to her for a year, for the sake of hearing from her
occasionally. I believe that hers is the only lady's
signature that I have noticed lately in The Tele-
grapher, and would be very sorry to lose the pleasure
of reading her articles (if a lady she is) for the small
sum of twenty-five cents. If any brother operator is
willing to help send her this noble paper, let him re-
spond through its columns, and I will be on hand.
Elias.
» • »
Bounty Land Warrants to Army Telegraph
Operators.
To the Editor or The Telegrapher.
About a year since, during a session of Congress, we
saw many communications printed in The Tele-
grapher and Journal in relation to the subject of a Gov-
ernment grant to military operatprs who served during
the late civil war. The correspondence suddenly ceased,
since when not a word has been published or spoken of
the matter. Was the subject definitely disposed of at
that time, and the verdict rendered that army opera-
tors were not entitled to any Government recognition ?
Why are all the army boys so silent ?
There are hundreds scattered all over the country,
who served the Government faithfully, and endangered
their health and lives by exposure, and many who not
only nobly faced hardship and exposure, butal so gal-
lantly stood at their posts of duty amid the whistling
bullets on many fields of battle. Are not these men,
who so faithfully served their country, and whose ser-
vices were, in many instances, greater than whole regi-
ments, entitled to a hundred and sixty acres of land?
I would like to hear from my former companions-in-
arms upon this subject, and ascertain if a petition
cannot be successfully circulated.
We have good friends at Washington, who would do
their utmost in our behalf. Agitator.
The Northwestern and Northern Pacific Tele-
graph.— Bulls.— An Incredulous Wife.
Northern Pacific R. R., Jan. 27.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
Not seeing anything in The Telegrapher of late
from this part of the universe, perhaps it would be as
well to lot the fraternity know that we have 225 miles
of wire, well put up, and scientifically repaired when
necessary, "by one H. S. Lyle." Mr. O. C. Green is
Superintendent for the N. W. Telegraph Co., and has
charge of over GOO miles of wire. He is a kind, gentle-
manly fellow, and highly esteemed by all of the N. P.
operators and his numerous friends outside of the
lightning department.
{Cou tinned on page 'ob.)
34
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[February 7, 1814.
The Telegrapher
Pevoted to the Interests
OF THE
TELEGRAPHIC FRATERNITY.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1874.
THE TELEGRAPHER:
PUBLISHED EVERT SATURDAY at 38 VESEY ST.
T E TST T H VOLUME.
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION.
One Copy, One Year, ----- $3.00.
INVARIABLY IN ADVANCE.
Single Copies Five Cents.
SPECIMEN COPIES FORWARDED FREE on APPLICATION.
Communications must be addressed to
J. N. ASHLEY, Publisher,
(P. O. Box 5503.) 38 VESEY ST. , New York.
T
HE TELEGRAPHER.
A JOURNAL OF ELECTRICAL PROGRESS,
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS
OF THE
Telegraphic Fraternity and the Advancement
of Electrical Science and the
Telegraphic Art.
Published Every Saturday,
AT
No. 38 VESEY STREET, New York.
TENTH VOLUME.
The Tenth Volume of THE TELEGRAPHER will
commence with the number for SATURDAY, JANUARY 3d,
1874, and ■will close with the year.
All the popular features of the paper will be continued, and it
will be improved from time to time, as opportunity shall offer.
THE TELEGRAPHER
has now, for nearly ten years, been maintained upon its merits,
and without patronage or support, other than that derived from
its legitimate business, for the past five years. ' (Previous to that
time it was partially maintained by the National Telegraphic
Union.)
The TENTH VOLUME commences under favorable auspices,
and it may be said that it enjoys the entire confidence of the
TELEGRAPHIC FRATERNITY,
whose organ it is and will continue to be. It is a thoroughly
INDEPENDENT TELEGRAPHIC NEWSPAPER,
bound to, or in the interests of no telegraphic clique or com-
bination, but honestly devoted to the interests of the
PRACTICAL TELEGRAPHERS.
As heretofore, no labor, time or expense, warranted by the
patronage received, will be spared to improve its character, and
add to its interest, and to sustain its reputation as the only
first CLASS
ELECTRICAL AND TELEGRAPHIC JOURNAL
UPON THE
AMERICAN CONTINENT.
Terms of Subscription.
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missions in lieu of Premiums or Club rates upon the amount of
such subscriptions, which may be deducted from remittances
when made.
Any person sending the names and money for four subscri-
bers, at the regular price of subscription, two dollars per year,
will be ontitled to receive an extra copy free.
Subscribers changing their residences, and desiring a
change in their address, must always send their old as
well as their new address.
Remittances for subscriptions may be made by mail, by post-
office order or registered letter, at the risk of the" Publisher, but
no responsibility will be assumed for money sent without such
precaution. On remittances of not less than five dollars the
cost of the order or registration may be deducted from the
amount.
Advertisements are solicited, and will be inserted at reasonable
rates ; but no Advertisement will be inserted for less than One
Dollar per insertion.
All communications relating to or intended for THE TELE-
GRAPHER must be addressed to
J. N. ASHLEY, Publisher,
(P. O. Box 5503,) NEW YORK.
The New Yolume of The Telegrapher.
It may be of interest to the many friends of The
Telegrapher scattered throughout the country and
the Dominion of Canada, to learn how the new volume
has been received, and what its prospects are. It gives
us pleasure to be able to state that its reception has
been all that could reasonably be desired, and that the
prospects of the paper were never better than at the
present time. The new subscriptions have more than
made good those which expired at the close of the last
volume, and we are daily receiving assurances, which
are most gratifying, that the paper is appreciated and
its general course approved by those in whose interest
it is published.
The series of articles commenced by Mr. P. L. Pope,
in the first number of the present volume, on the " Ele-
mentary Principles of Electrical Measurement," have
met with very general and warm approbation. These
will be continued for some months to come, and will
afford instruction and information which will be of
great value to every telegrapher.
We have also made arrangements for contributions
from other able writers, scientists and expert tele-
graphers, of series of articles on practical telegraphic
subjects, which will be not less valuable than Mr.
Pope's, and will add to the (we think we may say with,
out egotism) high reputation of The Telegrapher as
a scientific and practical telegraphic organ.
Of course; all these cost money, but we rely confi-
dently upon the support which has never yet failed us,
from those interested in telegraphic pursuits, to bear
us out in any reasonable amount of expenditure in
maintaining a first class telegraphic journal, which shall
be a credit to the telegraphic fraternity of the United
States and Canada, whose organ and representative
it is.
"We shall publish next week a carefully prepared
article, discussing the comparative advantages of the
differential and bridge systems of duplex telegraphy.
This is a matter of much importance, and has of late
given rise to a great deal of discussion among practical
telegraphers throughout the country. This will be
found of much value and interest.
These articles will be illustrated by all the necessary
cuts and diagrams, to enable them to be readily under-
stood, even by telegraphers who have not been so for-
tunate as to obtain any special scientific education.
We would ask that our friends will call the attentio n
of their associates and others to the character of The
Telegrapher, and continue to aid us in securing for
it a constantly and rapidly increasing circulation.
Telegraph Inventions and Inventors.
The litigation of the extraordinary patent granted to
the late Prof. Page under the special Act of Congress,
which by no means contemplated anything of the sort,
is likely to reopen the discussion and investigation of
the claims not only of the patentee but of others who
have occupied a prominent position as telegraphic
inventors. Hitherto these investigations have only
been pursued so far as was required to serve the pur-
poses and interests of the contestants, and until the
expiration of the earlier patents it was not deemed
advisable to invalidate them— which would result in
making the telegraph business free and unrestricted to
everybody. It is, perhaps, needless to remark that
this reason does not now exist, and therefore, in the
present litigation, the whole subject will be necessarily
most thoroughly and exhaustively considered, who-
ever may suffer therefrom.
It is the purpose of the present owners of the Page
patent to reestablish a monopoly in telegraphing in
this country, which will assuredly be accomplished if
the validity of that patent, as reissued, should be judf-
cially sustained. It was supposed that, with the expi-
ration of the patents granted to Prof Morse, there no
longer existed a possibility of restricting or making
tributary any telegraphic interest. Those patents, or
the more essential and important of them, had expired
by regular limitation — had been extended and renewed,
and having reached the utmost term which could be
granted to them, except by special legislation, bad
become public property. Whether rightfully granted
or not, they had been acquiesced in and tribute paid
under them to the patentee, and those holding through
or under him, to a very large amount. The effort to
enforce them against the Bain Chemical and House
Printing Telegraph Systems had, it is true, failed, but
neither of them ultimately proved very formidable
rivals, and the value of the patents had proved to be
very great. As before remarked, they had become
public property, and there seemed to be no longer any
obstacle to their actual realization as such by the
people.
The desire of Congress to do honor to Prof. Page, as
a scientific and worthy American citizen, who had, it
was contended, been unjustly deprived of the credit
which was due him as the real inventor of what is
known as the Rhumkorff coil, and of certain other
inventions in magneto-electrical devices, led to the
passage of the act under which the patent which is
now attempted to be enforced was issued. There is
abundant evidence in the act as passed, and in the dis-
cussion in both the House of Representatives and the
Senate, on its passage in those bodies respectively, (hat
at that time there was not the slightest intimation, sus-
picion or intention that it should apply to telegraphy
in any way. There is no evidence that even up to the
time of his death Prof. Page had any idea or intention
of making the telegraph interests of the country tribu-
tary under his patent. As a matter of fact he died in
pecuniarily straitened circumstances, and his last days
were troubled because he had been unable to make
suitable and adequate provision for his family. Subse-
quently to his death an attempt was made to dispose
of the patent for a valuable consideration, the price
asked for it being a half million of dollars, but no pur-
chaser could be found at any price. It was offered to
its present owners, the Western Union Telegraph Com-
pany, who had it carefully investigated by experts and
by the best legal talent, and rejected it as worthless
and valueless. How it was subsequently purchased
by that company, and for what purpose, the readers of
The Telegrapher are tolerably familiar with.
It has since been reissued so as to cover essential
telegraphic devices more completely — the Patent Of-
fice officials apparently deeming it incumbent upon
them to grant anything that is asked in the name of
their late associate, and the attempt is being made to
establish judicially its validity.
The effect of the success of this attempt we have
already pointed out, but it cannot be kept too promi-
nently in view of those interested. It renders all tele-
graph interests in the country tributary to the owners
of the patent for years to come, and it would in that
event undoubtedly prove the best investment which
has been made in patents for a very long time. This
would be no argument against it if its claims, or those
made under it, were legal, just and equitable ; but they
are not, and if contested, as they must be, they can
never be so declared by any court.
As was stated at the beginning of this article, this liti-
gation will lead to a thorough and exhaustive investi-
gation of telegraphic inventions and patents during the
last forty or more years, and will be likely to alter
materially the assignment of honor and credit for such
inventions from what they now are. It will undoubt-
edly prove that to Prof. Joseph Henry, of the Smith-
sonian Institute, more than to any other single person,
living or dead, belongs the honor and credit of the dis-
coveries ^and inventions which have made the American
February 1, 1874.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
35
system of telegraph practical and successful. The
principal devices described id the Page patent were
known, demonstrated and described, some of them
years before Prof. Page, as those who hold under him
claim that he discovered and invented them.
To no one man or nation belongs the honor of invent-
ing the electric telegraph. As was better stated in a
" Condensed History of the Electric Telegraph," pre-
pared by Prof. Tan der Weyd for and published in the
Manufacturer and Builder, which was reprinted in The
Telegrapher for March 8th, 1873, than we can do it :
" The electric telegraph is a forcible illustration of the
power of accumulated human intellect. During several
centuries scores of the most ingenious men have, by
assiduous investigation, discovered facts upon facts —
succeeding generations standing mentally on the
shoulders of their ancestors, till, finally, one century
ago the first real electric telegraph was born in that
centre of political liberty and inventive genius, Switzer-
land.
One of the first duties in science is to ' give honor to
whom honor is due ;' as latter brilliant inventions tend
to eclipse former more valuable discoveries on which
they are based, and as even the names of former great
investigators and laborers in the field of scientific pro-
gress become forgotten, we think it highly useful to
give here a kind of chronology of the discoveries on
which our knowledge of electricity, and the subsequent
series of inventions which culminated in the modern
electric telegraph, are based. It will show the reason
why Switzerland, Germany, Prance, England, America
and even Russia claim this invention — while the fact
is that they all had their share in it, and that no single
nation, and much less no single individual can lay any
other claim than having taken advantage of the inves-
tigations of others, and perhaps sometimes added some
novelty, very trifliDg when compared with the knowl-
edge inherited from predecessors. It also illustrates
the truth of one of Prof. Tyndall's sayings in one of
his recent lectures here, that the scientific investigators
are the real workers, discoverers and inventors, of which
patent applicants take advantage. In this respect we
cannot omit calling attention to the historical fact that
Prof. Joseph Henry stands foremost in preparing the
way for the realization of the invention in question,
which, after his labors were finished, required scarcely
a single step forward."
As experience for many years past has shown, and as
all who have to deal with telegraphic interests are
aware, there is practically no end to the inventions and
discoveries, or what are supposed to be such, that are
constantly being brought forward. Enthusiasts are con-
stantly deluded with the idea that they have made
remarkable and valuable discoveries and inventions
(and not unfrequently succeed in deluding others into a
similar belief) which, upon investigation, turn out to be
aither old, or, at the best, merely rediscoveries, or
else practically worthless. There has been such an
active and exhaustive investigation into electrical
science and telegraphic inventions that the field has
been pretty well cultivated. We do not mean to say,
or wish to be understood as intending that there is no
possibility of any further valuable and novel discov-
eries and inventions in this department, but that the
chances are that what is claimed and believed to be
new is not so, and that proper investigation will gener-
ally save useless expenditure of time and money, and,
perhaps, cruel disappointment in the end. As an in-
stance of a very numerous class of such supposed
inventions, we might cite a case which recently came
to our knowledge, where a callow scientist and tele-
grapher wrote to an electrical expert of an invention
which he had made, which must come into' general use
and prove very valuable, and proposing that he should
take an interest in it, and get the patent for the inven-
tion for him. A description and sketch of the inven-
tion was included in the letter, which proved to be noth-
ing more than a common electrical bell! of which
thousands are probably made and sold every year. We
have no doubt but that the same is true of almost every
important or unimportant department of art and indus-
try, but our attention has naturally been particularly
attracted to electrical and telegraphic inventions and
patents.
It is not our purpose to trace the invention of the
telegraph, or to show how it was slowly developed
until it has reached its present state of perfection. We
merely desire to attract attention to this subject of tele-
graphic inventions and inventors that our readers may
fully understand the litigation which is going on in
regard to the Page patent, to which, it is probable, we
may be "obliged to refer frequently for some time to
come.
Telegraph Messengers in Uniform.
With the commencement of the present month the
messengers employed in connection with the delivery
department of the Western Union Telegraph Company
in this city, numbering about 130, appeared in a new
uniform, neat and comfortable in appearance. This
regulation is a very good one, and should have been
adopted, and has been attempted to be introduced once
or twice before, but was abandoned on account of the
opposition of the messengers themselves to it.
The uniform adopted consists of a cap of the Prus-
sian undress service, edged with scarlet, and a button
or metallic rosette with the name of the company on
the front. The clothing is of dark blue pilot cloth, well
made and warm, the surtout buttoning close up to the
neck, with a leather belt round the waist, bearing the
name of the company. On the belt is attached a long
leather pouch, in which to place the messenger's book
and messages.
The public will soon become familiar with this uni-
form and its advantages will be apparent, while we
can see no reason why any messenger should object
to its use while on duty.
It would be well for each company doing business
here to adopt a distinctive uniform for its messengers,
so that persons who may receive despatches may be
assured, when a message is received, of the office or
line from which it comes, and that the person present-
ing it is duly authorized to receive replies, if any be
required, and that they will be promptly returned to
the office. We could suggest an addition which we
think would prove of service in many cases — that each
messenger have conspicuously displayed a number by
which he may be identified, if it should become neces-
sary or desirable.
(Correspondence continued from page 33.)
Mr. 0. M. Greene is our Division operator. Clem is a
fine fellow, kind and accomodating, and yet withal a
good disciplinarian. We are a happy lot of boys out
west, and highly fortunate in having such able and
gentlemanly officers.
Here is a telegraphic bull, related to me by the
victim : S. telegraphs from Z. to his son at to send
him his two horse collars. Judge of his amazement on
the arrival of the traiu to find his two horse colts on
board instead of the " collars." The telegraph boys paid
the freight both ways, and told him to say no more about
it. Another operator at J takes a message to Mrs.
R . She inquires who the message is from ?
" Why," says J , " from your husband." " No, it
can't be," says she "because I know his writing, and
it don't look like that; you are trying to fool me." All
of J 's arguments seemed to be of no avail, until
he told her that her husband would certainly be on
the train, and expecting to see her. That closed the
affair. She went, found her better half, and has often
wondered why J should try to make her believe
it to be from her better half, when she " knew his hand-
write well enough." N. p.
A Defence of the Telegraphic Fraternity.
To the Editor op The Telegrapher.
I feel it my duty to say a word in defence of tele-
graphers as a class, after reading such terrible asser-
tions as some of your correspondents have made in
regard to their moral character. One of the laws of
nature is that " Water always finds its level." So it
is with individuals; they take their position in society
just where they belong, as naturally as water finds its
level, whether telegraphers or others. Wow, if there is
in some locality somo telegraphers who do not bear a
good character, must that necessarily place an indelible
stamp on the whole fraternity, as consisting only of such
characters'? I am happy to say that on this lino the
telegraph operators, as a class, are respectable, intelli-
gent and influential men, who are at the head of all
good enterprises in society. Some have even ssiid it was
useless to try to elevate the moral standing of this fra-
ternity. We are truly thankful all are not of that opin-
ion. (Our worthy editor, for one, is not.) If 1 was to
gratify my passions, I would say these are the very
ones to start with, aud the best method of elevating
them would be to set them up in the boot and shoe
business, which, at least, would have a strong ten-
dency to elevate them. S. L. C.
Mr. C. 0. McGrew has been appointed operator of
the United States Military Telegraph, at Mountain
Springs, Cal.
Mr. John Gifpord has been appointed operator U.
S. Military Telegraph at Stanwix Station, Arizona
Territory.
Mr. John. W. Stratjchen has been appointed ope-
rator of the U. S. Military Telegraph at Wickenburg,
Arizona Territory.
Mr. C. W. Gearheart has been appointed operator
of the U. S. Military Telegraph at Maricopa Wells,
Arizona Territory.
Mr. R. H. Howe has been appointed operator of the
U. S. Military Telegraph at Tucson, Arizona Territory.
Mr. Maurice Goldwater has been appointed ope-
rator of the U. S. Military Telegraph at Phoenix, Ari-
zona Territory.
Mr. Thos. E. Atkinson has been appointed operator
of the U. S. Military Telegraph at Yuma, Arizona
Territory.
Mr. Wm. B. Ellison has been appointed chief ope-
rator of the U. S. Military Telegraph, with headquar-
ters at Prescott, Arizona Territory.
Mr. C. P. Adams, telegraph operator and station
agent of the Grand Trunk Railroad, at Goaham, N. H.,
has resigned, and accepted a similar position with the
Central Pacific R. R. at Corinne, Utah.
Mr. J. Willson Utt, formerly extra telegraph ope-
rator on the Lehigh Yalley Railroad, has been ten-
dered and accepted the office of chief operator in the
office of the North Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at
Front and Willow streets, Philadelphia. This is a good
appointment, as Mr. Utt is an excellent operator and
intelligent gentleman. No appointment has yet been
made to the position on the L. V. Railroad vacated by
Mr. Utt.
A Practical Test of the Automatic Telegraph
System.
On the evening of January 27th last the Automatic
Telegraph Company made a demonstration of the
actual working of their system, in answer to the criti-
cisms and statements of President William Orton, of
the Western Union Company, in his letter to Post-
master General Creswell of December 27, 1873. There
were present from the Western Union Telegraph Com-
pany Mr. Geo. B. Prescott, the electrician of the com-
pany in New York, and Mr. Leonard Whitney, man-
ager of the Western Union office in Washington. Sev-
eral other gentlemen, not connected with either com-
pany, were also present in the New York and Washing-
ton offices.
The matter transmitted was the President's Message
and the Spanish Protocol attached, numbering 11,130
words.
The operation of punching the matter on the strips
for transmission was commenced in Washington at
5:39 P. M v and the document was copied complete in
New York at 6:48 P. M., occupying in all but 69 min-
utes — against 70 minutes — the time occupied by the
Western Union Company in its transmission. The av-
erage time was 55*^ minutes — against 59 by the West-
ern Union.
But one wire was used by the Automatic process,
while the Western Union used eight.
The persons employed were ten perforators, thirteen
copyists and two Morse operators, while the Western
Union Company employed sixteen expert Morse ope-
rators on their eight wires. The average pay of per-
forators and copyists is stated to be $40 per month.
This is claimed to be a complete refutation of the
statements made by Mr. Orton, and especially the as-
sertion that it would require seventy-eight persons to
do this work automatically iu the time employed by
the Western Union Company.
West India and Panama Telegraph.
A special general meeting of the shareholders of
tho West India and Panama Telegraph Company was
held in London on the 14th of January, at which the
directors of the company resigned, and a new board,
comprising Sir James Anderson, Mr. H. Weaver, Mr.
C. W. Earl, Mr. W. Ford and Mr. H. Holmes, was
unanimously elected.
This company has been unfortunate, aud, the share-
holders believe, badly managed, which created much
dissatisfaction, which was manifested by the fact that
the number of proxies placed in the hands of the com-
36
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[February 7, 1874.
mittee of shareholders, who have been endeavoring to
effect a change in the management, were six to one,
placed in the hands of the old board of directors.
The meeting adjourned till the Wednesday following,
at the office of the company to complete the election,
Foreign Telegraphic Notes.
The directors of the Globe Telegraph and Trust
Company have declared a dividend of 3s. per share —
being at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum upon the
preference shares of the Company.
The Anglo-American Telegraph Company has de-
clared a balance dividend of 2 percent. — being, with that
previously paid, at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum
for the eight months ended the 31st of December, 1873.
The Company, after the payment of this dividend, will
remain with a cash balance of about £250,000, besides
about 900 miles of spare cable. The annual general
meeting will be held at the London Tavern, on Friday,
February 13th.
The total number of messages forwarded from postal
telegraph stations in the United Kingdom, during the
week ending January 10th, 1874, was 313,696, an
increase on the corresponding week of the previous year,
of 38,355.
The Eastern Telegraph Company have announced
the opening of their new lines from Otranto, Italy, to
Zante, Greece, and from Zante to the Island of Candia.
Messages should be marked, " Via Zante direct ;" and
the rates to Greece will be the same as by the old route
via Volo. This company also announce that they are
prepared to accept messages for Para, Bahia and Rib
Janeiro, to be posted from Lisbon to Pernambuco, and
telegraphed thence to their destination.
The traffic receipts of the Submarine Telegraph Com-
pany for December, 1873, amounted to £7,798 against
£7,466 for the corresponding month of the previous
year.
The total traffic receipts of the Great Northern Tele-
graph Company, during the month of December last,
amounted to 287,137f. (£11,485), and for the month of
December, 1872, to 204,752f. (£8,190). The receipts
on the European lines amounted to 142,938f'.. against
106,294f. in December, 1872; and on the China and
Japan lines, to 144,198f., against 98,458f. in the month
of December, 1872.
Reuter's Telegraph Company has announced that
telegraphic communication is restored between Shang-
hai and Hong Kong.
Telegraph wires now extend from Copiapo to e
Arancanian frontiers of Chili.
The government of Salvador has had to pass laws,
with severe penalties, against those who destroy the
telegraph wires. It has been found that the people are
apt to cut off long pieces of the wire, and use them as
strings to dry clothes on.
The Bishop of Pampaluna, in Sautander, Bogota, has
given his blessing to the Electric Telegraph there, and,
in his address to the people, begged them to respect
the invention as being necessary for the progress of
society.
The telegraphic line lately constructed and connect-
ing Yalparaiso, Chili, with Malvoa, Angol, Naciemiento,
Chiguaihue, Callipulli and Mulchen, has been in work-
ing order.
« «♦
Telegraphic and Electrical Brevities.
Scientific Telegrams. — Last year Professor Henry,
of the Smithsonian Institute, secured the privilege of
a free exchange of scientific information — such as the
discovery of new planets or comets — over the Atlantic
cable. The Western Union Telegraph Company has
agreed to send such despatches free of charge over all
parts of the United States. The French telegraph
companies have offered the same privileges, and re-
cently the Director of the Russian Imperial Telegraph
consented to the same arrangement.
The Western Union Telegraph Company have ob-
tained an injunction against the Manhattan Telegraph
Company, restraining them — the directors, etc. —
"from in any manner molesting, injuring, obstructing,
or interfering with any telegraph pole, line or wire
owned or used by the plaintiff, aud from erecting or
constructing any telegraph pole, line or wire at or be-
tween any point or points on any side of any street,
avenue, square or public place in the city, at or be-
tween which point or points any telegraph pole, line or
wire is now or shall hereafter be erected or constructed
by or for the plaintiff."
The cable laid in 1869 across the straits at Cape
Canso was fouled in December by the anchor of a ves-
sel, and parted. The difficulty of laying a cable there
in the winter season is very great — the current running
eight knots an hour, and huge masses of ice somtimes
wedging up in a night the whole passage. However,
Mr. George Robinson, who has charge of repairs there,
gathered up a number of spare pieces of cable at Plais-
ter Cove, joined them carefully, and on the night of
January 25th succeeded, after much toil, in laying it
and restoring communication.
Mr. F. A. Abbott, a witness for the defence in the
case of John J. Kiernan vs. the Manhattan Quotation
Company, of this city — which is being heard before
Rufus F. Andrews, Referee, being charged with steal-
ing the plaintiff's news — refused to answer the question
as to how he obtained news for defendant, and was sent
before Judge Lawrence for contempt.
The shares of the Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Co.,
and of the American District Telegraph Co. have been
placed on the list of the Few York Stock Exchange,
aud there is already considerable dealing in them.
Gov. Straw, of New Hampshire, has conveyed to the
United States Direct Cable Co. the right to use 4,000
feet of land at Straw's Point, near Rye Beach, N\ H.,
for the use of the ocean telegraph cable now being
manufactured in England for that company. The
grantees are to erect and maintain substantial and
comely buildings, and the land to be used only for the
purposes indicated in the deed of conveyance.
A Telegraphic Defaulter.
Mr. Byron W. Barnard, who, under the name of
William Bernard, was at the time employed in the Cin-
cinnati, Ohio, Western Union office, volunteered during
the pestilence which raged so fearfully at Stare report,
La., last summer for service in the Western Union
office there, which offer was promptly accepted. He
was given the management of the office, and escaped
the pestilence, only to prove a defaulter and swindler.
In two months he had squandered all the company's
funds in his possession, swindled his assistants by ob-
taining their receipts for salaries which had not been
paid, and nearly sacrificed his life in a fit of delirium
tremens. This is not the first of his swindling transac-
tions, and, however commendable may have been his
conduct in volunteering for what may be called a for-
lorn hope, he is not entitled to pity or commiseration.
Buchanan and Saville, who also volunteered for this
service, fell victims to the disease, and sad as must
their fate be regarded, it was far preferable to that of
Barnard, who has thus recklessly wrecked the chance
which was afforded him for redemption.
The Postal Telegraph Debate.
The Gardiner Hubbard and William Orton Debating
Society has been revived at Washington, and held
meetings before the Senate Post-office Committee yes-
terday and the day before. Their theme was the novel
one of the Postal Telegraph. The subject will be con-
tinued indefinitely for some years. — Springfield Repub-
lican.
New Patents.
4S- Official Copies of any U. S. Patent issued since July
1st, 1871, including drawings, specifications and claims in full, sent
free to any address for 25 cents each. Address F. L. Pope, P. O.
Box 5603, New York City.
For the week ended January 13, 1874, and bearing that date.
No. 146,421. — Electric Ship Alabm. James B. Andrews, New
York, N. Y. Application filed November 6, 1873.
Deviation of compass operates a circuit closer controlling an
alarm.
In combination with a magnetic needle or bar, suitable means
adapted to be influenced by any change in the relative position
of said needle with the ship, and an alarm device for denoting
such change, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
No. 146,444. — Electro-Magnet. Hippolyte Fontaine, Paris,
France. Application filed, October 2, 1873.
A magnet formed of a series of thin flexible metallic blades,
strips, or their equivalent, assembled and bound together by
pieces of copper, soft iron, or malleable cast iron, substantially
as shown and described.
No. 146,463.— Telegbaph Belay. Sandford Howard Lombard,
Winona, Minn. Application filed November 28, 1873.
Movement of armature invariably shunts one coil entirely, and
a determined portion of the other out of circuit.
1. In combination with a relay a shunt circuit to a portion of
its coil, brought automatically into action by the movement of
the ar mature to the magnet, and an additional shunt adjustably
connet u-.ii theieto by a switch, substantially as set forth.
2. In combination with the shunt circuit h, the switch D, and
connections e e\ substantially as described.
3. The combination of the contact point a', conductor a, post
C, switch D, points e e\ conductor h, and armature lever b, con-
structed and arranged substantially as described.
No. 146,490. — Electrical Apparatus for Ships' Registebb.
Niles H. Thompson, Albion, Mioh. Application filed Decem-
ber 24, 1873.
Register chart moved to correspond with deflections of needle
through electrical apparatus controlled by a circuit made and
broken by needle.
1. The combination, with a magnetic needle, of an electrical
circuit and circuit closers (the circuit closers being arranged to
indicate any deflection of the needle), and devices operating to
remove the circuit closersfrom contact with the needle.
2. 'I he combination with a registering apparatus, of a magnetic
needle, and an electric circuit controlled by said needle opera-
ting to convey any deflections o: the needle to the registering
apparatus, substantially as set forth.
T>ARTRICK, BUNNELL & CO.,
38 SOUTH 4th ST., PMILA-
manufacturers of
UNRIVALLED MORSE INSTRUMENTS,
CHAMPION LEARNERS' APPARATUS,
with Complete Instructions, Battery, Wire, etc.,
TrrhprovecL Czurved Keys,
Batteries and Supplies of every Description.
Send for Circulars and Catalogue.
TTTESTERN ELECTRIC
MANUFACTURING COMPANY
furnish all descriptions of
Copper Office and Magnet Wire,
OF OUR OWN MANUFACTURE,
WITH
EVERY VARIETY OP INSULATION,
FINE RESISTANCE WIRE and DOUBLE and.
SINGLE CONNECTING CORD.
Western Electric Manufacturing Company,
CHICAGO.
R
EDUCTION OF PRICES.
POPULAR, EXCELLENT and ECONOMICAL,
THE NONPAREIL
TELEGRAPH APPARATUS,
For AMATEURS, STUDENTS and SHORT LINES.
Since the introduction of this Pioneer Low Priced Telegraph In-
strument, a little over a year and a half since, nearly 2,000
have been sold, and they are constantly more and more sought
after.
Hereafter we shall furnish them at the following popular rates :
Single Instruments, including Three Cells Battery, Con-
necting Wire, Chemicals and Instruction Book $6 60
Two sets of Instruments, etc 12 00
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
F. E. POPE & CO.,
[P.O. Box 5503.1
38 Vesey Street, N. Y.
THE RAILROAD GAZETTE.
TELEGRAPHERS and TKAIN DESPATCHERS, and all men
in any way interested in or connected with Railroads, will find
this paper interesting and valuable. It is the best Railroad
paper in the world.
It is an illustrated journal of 24 quarto pages, about the size
of Harpers' 1 Weekly.
PRICE, - - - - $4 A YEAR.
Subscriptions will be received for three months at One Dollar.
Address,
A. N. KELLOGG & 00.,
72 BROADWAY, N. Y.
February 1, 1874.]
THE TELEGRAPHER
m
lNson Stager, Elisha Gray,
Pres't. Sup't.
Enos M. Barton,
Sec'y.
w
ESTERN ELECTRIC MANUFACTUR-
ING COMPANY.
No. 220 KINZIE STREET, CHICAGO.
TELEGRAPH, WIRES, INSTRUMENTS,
BATTERIES, TOOLS,
INSULATORS and SUPPLIES.
Annunciators for Hotels, Steamships, Dwellings.
Our Annunciators are the most extensively used and the most
perfect in operation.
Automatic Mercury Fire Alarm, for Hotels, Steam-
ships, Public Buildings.
Five years' operation have proved its merits.
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
HAMBLET'S ELECTRO-MAGNETIC WATCH CLOCKS AND
TIME DIALS.
Western Electric M'f'g Co., Chicago.
TELEGRAPH WIRE, Numbers 8, 9 and 12.
UNION BRAND, AND
UNION BRAND EXTRA QUALITY.
JOHNSON'S WIRE.
BROOKS' INSULATORS, GLASS INSULA-
TORS and BRACKETS.
KKNOSHA INSULATORS, all kinds.
PAINTED CROSS-ARMS.
KENOSHA CROSS-ARMS.
OFFICE WIRE, many varieties.
COPPER & COMPOUND KERITE WIRE.
CABLES TO ORDER.
Western Electric M'f'g Co., Chicago.
TEROME REDDING & CO.,
30 HANOVER STREET, BOSTON,
MANUFACTURERS and dealers in
A FULL ASSORTMENT OP TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
CONSTANTLY ON HAND.
Telegraph, Magnet, Office, and other Insulated Wires,
INSULATORS, BRACKETS.
PATENT ELECTRIC WATCH-CLOCK
THE BEST IN USE.
ELECTRIC BELLS AND ANNUNCIATORS,
At prices which defy competition.
Batteries of Every Description,
At unusually low prices.
Battery Carbons all sizes, with Improved Connection
Medical Batteries from $4 Upwards.
AN1C PRICES.
OUR PROFITS HAVING BEEN AMPLE,
WE OFFER OUR CUSTOMERS THE
BENEFITS OF THE RECENT
REDUCTION
IN THE COST OF LABOR AND MATERIAL.
ALL WHO NEED
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS and SUPPLIES,
IN
Ziarge or Small Quantities,
WILL CONSULT THEIR OWN INTERESTS BY PURCHASING
FROM US.
SEND FOR OUR NEW PRICE LIST.
A Special Discount given on Cash Purchases.
GEO. H BLISS & CO.,
41 THIRD AVENUE,
Chicago, 111.
G 1
EO. H. BLISS & CO.,
41 THIRD A.VENVE_,
Chicago, III.
AZ.L GO01)S WA.'RltsiJVZjET) FIHS7 CLASS.
AN» PRICES EXTREMELY LOW.
w.
9 END FOR PRICE LIST-
TELEGRAPHIC, ELECTRICAL AND MEDICAL APPARATUS.
A.gents for KIDDER'S MEDICAL APPARATUS.
" AMERICAN COMPOUND WIRE.
" JONES' LOCK SWITCH BOARD.
" ROBERTSON'S BATTERY INSULATOR.
" HILL'S GRAVITY BATTERY.
•'. HILL'S HOTEL ANNUNCIATOR and FIRE ALARM.
" MCPHERSON'S IRON BATTERY.
" " THE AMATEUR TELEGRAPH APPARATUS.
.. PUTT'S MECHANICAL INSTRUMENTS.
" KENOSHA INSULATOR.
" •' BROOKS* "
" UNITED STATES ELECTRIC GAS LIGHTING COM-
PANY.
" POPE'S RALLWAY SIGNALS.
" EAGLES METALLIC (RESERVOIR) BATTERY.
" " SELDEN'S PRINTERS.
'< ANDERS' MAGNETIC DIAL AND PRINTER.
IMPROVED AMATEUR SOUNDERS.
AN EXTRA FINISHED AND GOOD WORKING SOUNDER,
No. 3 $4 00
A WELL FINISHED AND GOOD WORKING SOUNDER,
No. 4 3 00
A WELL FINISHED AND GOOD WORKING KEY, No. 4. 4 00
Instrument*, Line. Material, Office. Wire, Magnet Wire, Tools,
Battery Material, Chemicals, Books, Stationery,
constantly on hand.
8®- Special attention gWen to REPAIRS and MODEL WORK.
HOCHHAUSEN,
Manufacturer of
ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS,
132 WILLIAM STREET (rear),
Between Fulton and John Streets, NEW YORK.
One half of actual size
ELECTRIC BELL,
PATENT SEJCF-CEOSING SET,
(Patented October 27, 1873.)
Price $5 50
The lever of this Key swings in two directions, vertical and
horizontal. A spring presses it against an adjustable contact
point on right hand side.
In sending with this key take hold of the knob and move to the
left, this opens the circuit, then operate in the ordinary way. As
soon as released the lever swings back against side contact point,
closing the circuit.
The Platina Points are large and hard.
Self-Starting Register, of new design, protected by a Glass
Shade, complete, with Paper Reel and Weight. . $50 00
Sounders, from 4 50 to $6 50
Electric Bells, single stroke or continuous ringing,
trom 6 00 to 8 00
Relays, from 9 50 to 16 00
Improved Switch Keys, from 3 00 to 5 50
Send for Illustrated Circulars.
The above may also be had of F. L. POPE & CO., 38 Vesey street,
New York, at Manufacturer's prices.
T ECLANCHE BATTERIES.
CAUTION.
All persons are hereby notified that Batteries infringing upon
our patents are in the market (some of them nearly worthless).
The public are warned against using any such infringements, as
in every case the guilty parties will oe prosecuted to the fullest
extent of the law. The genuine Batteries have the words "Pile
Leclanche " on the carbons and glasses. Any Information con-
cerning such infringements will be thankfully received by the
Leclanche Battery Co.,
JVo. i.0 West iSlh Street.
New York, October 11, 1873.
rpiLLOTSON'S EXCELSIOR
1 TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT.
(PATENTED JUNE 24, 1873.)
~^,~ —
This apparatus is constructed of the best material, and finished
equal to any Telegraph Instrument, and is warranted first class
in every particular. It is especially adapted to the require-
ments of Students of Telegraphy and the operation of Private
Telegraph Lines.
Price, complete. Sounder and Key mounted on finely
finished Mahogany Base, with one Oell Hill's Patent
Battery, with Chemicals, eight feet of Office Wire, and
"Smith's Manual of Telegraphy" $7 50
Two sets 14 50
Price of Sounder and Key only 6 50
" " " with Cut Out and Lightning
Arrester attached 7 50
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
No, 8 J>BT STREET, N. T.
IV
THE TELEGRAPHER
[February 1, 1874.
A
MERICAN FIRE ALARM AND
POLICE TELEGRAPH.
o
(3- A ME WELL & CO.. Proprietors,
62 BROADWAY, NEW YORK.
3. W. STOVER.
General Agent and Superintendent.
L. B. FIRMAN, Chicago, 111.,
General Agent for the West and North- West.
J B. DOWELL, Richmond, Va.,
Special Agent for Virginia and North Carolina.
3. A. BRENNER, Augusta, Ga.,
Speoial Agent for Georgia and South Carolina,
L. M. MONKOE, New Canaan, Conn.,
Speoial Agent for New England,
ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE CO.,
San Francisco, Cal.,
Special Agents for California, Oregon and Nevada.
THIS SYSTEM OF
FIRE ALARM & POLICE TELEGRAPH
WITH A CENTRAL OFFICE,
OB
VTON THE AUTOMATIC PLAN,
If now In operation in the following Cities, to whioh refereuoeis
made for evidence of its great
SUPERIORITY, VALUE
AND
UNIFORM RELIABILITY.
aioany, W. Y.,
Alleghany, Pa.,
Boston, Mass.,
Bridgeport, Conn.
Buffalo, N. Y.,
Baltimore, Md.,
Chicago, 111. ,
Cincinnati, Ohio,
Columbus, Ohio,
Cambridge, Mass.,
Charlestown, Mass.,
Covington, Ky.,
Detroit, Mich.,
Dayton, Ohio,
Elizabeth, N. J.,
Fall River, Mass.
Fitchburg, Mass.,
Hartford, Conn.,
Indianapolis, Ind.
Jersey City, N. J.,
Louisville, Ky.,
Lowell, Mass.,
Lawrence, Mass.,
Lynn, Mass.,
Mobile, Ala.,
Montreal, Canada,
Milwaukee, Wis.,
New York City,
New Orleans, La.,
New Bedford, Mass.,
New Haven, Conn.,
Newark, N. J .,
Omaha, Neb.,
Philadelphia, Pa.,
Pittsburg, Pa.,
Portland, Maine,
Peoria, 111.,
Providence, R. I.,
Quebec, L. 0.,
Rochester, N. Y.,
Richmond, Va.,
St. Louis, Mo.
St. John, N. B.,
Springfield, Mass.,
San Francisco, Cal.,
Savannah, Ga.,
Syracuse, N. Y.,
Troy, N. Y.,
Taunton, Mass.,
Toledo, Ohio,
Toronto, Canada,
Washington, D. 0.,
Worcester, Mass.
ine Distinctive Features of these Systems of
Fire Alarm and Police Telegraphs
ABE,
tnrtl — The Automatic Repeater, through which the
apparatus may be distributed in a combination of circuits, and
the entire system successfully worked, without the oonstan t per-
sonal attention of either operators or watchmen.
Second — The Automatic Signal Boxes.
Third— The Electro-Mechanical Bell Strikers,
adapted to produce the full tone of the largest church or tower
bells.
Fourth— The Electro-Mechanical Gong Striker,
for hose and engine houses, by means of which the location of
the fire is instantaneously communicated to the members of
each Are company.
These Features combined form the
Only PtRF-LXT, COMPLETE and RELIABLE System
OF
FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH
IN THE WORLD.
It is a sufficient vindication of the claims which are mad« by
the Proprietors of these systems of
FIRE ALARM
AND
POLICE TELEGRAPHS,
that they have sustained the test of more than twenty years of
practical use, and that the efforts which nave been repeatedly
made to supplant them by other inventions nave
COMPLETELY FAILED; ' '
the few instances in which municipalities have been induced to
adopt other systems having demonstrated their insufficiency
and unreliability, and resulted in their abandonment, and sub.
stitution therefor of the
AMERICAN FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH.
Messrs. 6AMEWBLL & CO. are the owners of the
original FARM ER & CHANNINQ PATENTS, one of the most
important of whioh has just been extended for seven years, and
during the past seventeen years have spared no expense or effort
to secure improvements, and the Systems are now covered by
MORE THAN TWENTY PATENTS.
The most important improvement which the Proprietoi s have
adopted and introduced is the
AUTOMATIC SYSTEM,
the introduction and operation of which involves so lit! ie ex-
pense, compared to the benefit which it confers, that even small
communities can profitably adopt and maintain it.
The American System of
PlftE ALAKM AND POLICE TELEGEAPHS
has met with the universal approbation and commendation of
the
People, Municipal Authorities,
AND THE
PRESS
throughout the UNITED STATES and CANADA.
NO EFFORT, TROUBLE OR EXPENSE
is spared by the Proprietors to obtain and secure ANY POS-
SIBLE IMPROVEMENT which shall increase the
EFFICIENCY,
RELIABILITY and
ECONOMY
of the system. They intend that, as far as possible, it shall be
ABSOLUTELY PERFECT?!
The amount of property which has been saved from destruc-
tion, and the number of lives which have been preserved
through the general adoption of this system, throughout the
UNITED STATES and the DOMINION of CANADA,
CANNOT EASILY BE ESTIMATED,
but that, in every community where it has been introduced for
any considerable length of time, they have been enormous, three
CAN BE NO QUESTION.
The cooperation of TELEGRAPHERS in securing its in-
troduction into their localities is cordially invited, and
iheir efforts will be duly appreciated and
compensated.
Any information desired in regard to the above
system will be cheerfully and promptly furnished
upon application at the office.
f CHARLES T. CHESTER,
104 Centre Street,
NEW YORK,
TELEGRAPH ENGINEER,
AND MANUFACTURER OF
INSTRUMENTS,
BATTERIES,
AND EVEBY DESCRIPTION OP
TELEGRAPH SUPPLIES.
A pamphlet, setting forth more fully its advantages and
superiority, has been printed, and will be supplied to Municipal
Authorities and others interested in Fire Alarm and Police Tele-
graphy, upon application as above.
BUNNELL'S PATENT REPEATER.
These Instruments are now made in two different styles, at
$120 and $ 135 a set, consisting of two Relays, two Sounders, two
Keys and Governor.
JONES' LOCK SWITCH-BOARD,
a most compact and reliable Switch, forming a clean spring-
locked connection between any number of wires, occupying for
each different connection only one square inch of space, and
though made of the largest size, not subject to the warp and
contraction of wood-work.
EXCLUSIVE AGENTS OF
A. G. DAY'S
KERITE,
OR
COMPOUND RUBBER COVERED WIRE
SUBTERRANEAN & MMkl WIRES,
OF THE
HIGHEST INSULATION.
We are now prepared to furnish, after an experience of thres
years, an Insulated Wire which can be buried in the earth or
exposed to rain and sun, or to the vapor of acids, without injury.
Professor Silliman, who has exposed it to the most destructive
agencies, finds that it remains uninjured in an atmosphere of
ozone, which would destroy gutta-percha in a few hour*. It
exceeds glass or any other known substance as a non-condnctor
We have made special arrangements to furnish this article
for office purposes at a reduced rate.
ALSO, TO FUBNISH
IRON CLAD CABLES,
of the usual size, with KERITE COVER, believing that tt will
exceed, in insulation for submarine purposes, ANYTHING
HITHERTO MANUFACTURED.
We shall be happy to furnish estimates for any amount and
size of cable, which will be found to compete with any other
construction, both in quality and price.
We manufacture the Genuine ELECTROPOION BATTERY,
with Patent Platlna Connection, introduced by us eight years
slnoe; also, THE ALPHABETICAL OR DIAL TELEGRAPH,
now extensively used in this and other cities for private lines,
being easily and quickly learned by any one.
We offer for sale, among other novelties, a SOUNDER that
will w >rk practioally with a single Daniell cell, a BATTERY
that does not require to be taken down but once a year, and the
very beat MAIN LINE SOUNDERS made
Our CATALOGUE, embracing a large amount of new matter
and description, la now ready for distribution.
February t, 1814.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
T>ROOKS' PATENT TELEGRAPH
INSULATOR WORKS,
AND AGENCY FOB THE SALE OP
Siemens' Universal Galvanometer,
Resistance Coils, Submarine Cables,
AND EVERY VARIETY OF
Electro-Metrical Apparatus Manufactured by Siemens Bros.
DAVID BEOOKS, Proprietor,
22 South Twenty-first Street, PHILADELPHIA.
THE PATENT INSULATOR.
This invention was first introduced into public use in 1867,
and now hundreds, without exception, attest its perfection as an
insulator ; also its economy over all others when maintenance i9
Included with first cost.
Siemens' Universal Galvanometer,
This instrument for the measurement of ordinary resistances,
euch as relays, sounders, conductivity of line wires, insulation,
4o., stands unrivalled for simplicity and correctness, and is now
the standard instrument for such work in all countries.
Siemens' Submarine Gables, Gables for Eiver Cross-
ings of every description,
AND
Insulated Conductors.
These Cables are unexcelled in construction, and can be pro-
cured in less time and at about half the cost of those manufac-
tured in this country.
M
AGNETO-ELECTRIC ALPHABETICAL
DIAL TELEGRAPH,
FOE
A SUPERIOR PRINTING TELEGRAPH
INSTRUMENT,
FOR PRIVATE AND SHORT LINES.
Awarded the First Premium— Silver Medal—over all others at
Cincinnati Industrial Exposition, 1872.
The undersigned is now prepared to supply the improved and
superior
PRINTING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
manufactured under the patent of Mr. J. E. SELDKN. This
instrument has already been extensively introduced, and has
given complete satisfaction to all who have adopted and used it.
It is simple, reliable, and not liable to get out of order; can be
operated by any person of ordinary intelligence after a few
minutes' instruction and practice.
PRIVATE LINES
constructed in the best and most substantial manner, and on
reasonable terms.
Favorable arrangements will be made with line constructors,
telegraph employes, &c, for the introduction of the Printer.
For further particulars, terms. &c, apply to
MEKOHANTS' MANUFAOTUKING AND
CONSTRUCTION CO.
'. S. J. BUKEELL, Superintendent,
No. 50 BROAD STREET (Rooms 12, 13 & 14).
P. O. BOX 496.
MER1CAN COMPOUND
TELEGRAPH LINE WIRE.
COPPER FOR CONDUCTIVITY.
STEEL FOR STRENGTH.
The superiority of the COMPOUND TELEGRAPH W1KF,
compared with iron, consists in its lmhtnkhh, reducing t>y over
fifty p«r cent, the numb«r of poles »ucl Insulators required.
Relative trnktlk htuenoth, homogeneity and elasticity de-
creasing the liability to breakage from cold weather, slj'et, etc.
Conductivity— insuring great Improvement in the working of
lines in any condition of the weather.
And in Its ookabimtv, whlcli greatly exceeds that of the best
galvanized Iron wire.
Mtoeetlier resulting in a very great reduction in the coal of
maintaining and working telegraph lines, while, at the same
time '.naming
EFFICIENCY AND RELIABILITY.
Address —
American Compound Tfileirranh Wire Co.,
ALANSON GARY. Treasurer,
No. 234 West 90th St.,
New York.
RAILROADS, GAS COMPANIES AND PRIVATE BUSI-
NESS PURPOSES GENERALLY.
MANUFACTURED BY
HOWARD WATCH AND CLOCK CO.
E. HOWARD, & CO., Proprietors.
J. HAMBLET, Electrician.
OFFICES:
114 TREMONT STREET, BOSTON, Mass.
IB MAIDEN IjANE, NEW TORK.
This Instrument is offered to the public as the oldest, most
rapid, and best.
MAGNETO-DIAL TELEGRAPH
in the world.
It has already been extensively adopted and has invariably
given entire satisfaction.
They also manufacture and put up
THE ELECTRO-MAGNETIC WATCH CLOCK,
which is the best watchman's time recorder in the world. Also,
ELECTRIC AND CONTROLLED CLOCKS
of all kinds,
CHRONOGRAPHS,
ASTRONOMICAL CLOCKS,
REGULATORS,
ETC., ETC.,
OF ALL KINDS.
All instruments and work from this establishment guaranteed
to give satisfaction.
GEO. B. HICKS, (late) Pres't. JOHN E. GARY, Vice-Pret't.
GEO. W. STOCKLY, Sec'y and Treas'r.
TELEGRAPH SUPPLY
AND
MANUFACTURING COMPANY,
CLEVELAND, O.,
MANUFACTURERS OF
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
OF EVERT DESCRIPTION.
Agents and Manufacturers for
THE AMERICAN FIRE ALARM,
GAMEWELL & CO., N. Y.
Specialties made of
HICKS' REPEATERS, HICKS' RELAYS,
SUEE-CONTACT KEY, "NOVELTY" SOUNDER,
Cheap Instruments for Learners, Amateurs, 4c,
NEW GRAVITY BATTERY,
Hotel and Private House Electric Annunciators,
BURGLAR AND FIRE ALARMS,
Dial and Printing Instruments for Private Telegraph Lines,
CALL BELLS AND ALARM BKLLS of fvery style.
Satleries, Chemicals, Wire, Insulators,
Supplies, <&c., So.
MODELS and LIGHT MACHINERY made to order.
Tj^ L. POPE & CO.,
■*- # MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS IN
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS AND SUPPLIES
OF
EVERY DESCRIPTION,
38 VESEY STREET, New York.
NEW AND SUPERIOR PATTERNS OF
STANDARD TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS.
ThPBe Instruments are elegantly designed, thoroughly well
finished, and scientifically adapted to the service required.
RELAYS,
SOUNDERS,
REGISTERS and
KEYS.
In addition to these we furnish avl descriptions op tele-
GBAFH MATERIAL AND SUPPLIES, SUCh as
BATTERIES, INSULATED WIRES, CHEMICALS
of all kinds, etc., etc.
THE NONPAREIL TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT,
For Amateurs and Learners, and Short Lines.
GLOBE XjTGTEiTTSTIlSrO ABRBSTERS.
Bradley's Apparatus for Electrical Measurement.
We are the Agents for the sale of this now and very superior
■Instrument for Electrical Measurement.
BRADLEY'S BOX RELAYS AND SOUNDERS.
BRADLEY'S NAKED WIRE HELICES AND MAGNET
SPOOLS,
of any desired size and resistance, will bo supplied upon orders
through us, at Uie Manufacturer's lowest prices.
Also, Agents for
HOOHHAIISES'S SUPERIOR LOW PRICED TELEGRAPH
INSTRUMENTS.
Sole Agents for tho
EAGLES metallic galvanic battery.
The demand lor this Battery is rapidly increasing, and it la
coiiced"d by all win> iitvs n-ted it t> be the n<-xi and mn i. Ecnnn-
mi.cn.1 Battery, for telegraphic and other purposes, offered to the
public.
Descriptive Circulars and Price List forwarded upon applica-
tion to
F. I_. POPE & CO.,
PRICE LIST.
Hicks' Repeaters (1873.) $100.00
Hicks' Relays from $12.00 to 18.00
Main Line Sounders " 12.00" 19.00
Local Sounders " 3.50" 8.00
Keys '.' 3.00" 6.60
Learners' Outfits {complete) " 7.50" 10.00
Dial and Printing Instruments " 75.00 " 225.00
Annunciators, per room " 7.00" 12.00
Burglar Alarms " 50.00 " 200.0
Send for Circulars.
GEO. W. STOCKLY,
Sec'y and Treas.,
No. 4 LEADER BUILDING,
CLEVELAND, O.
D
B. L. BRADLEY,
No. 9 Exchange Place,
JERSEY CITY, N. J.,
Has discontinued the manufacture of Telegraph Instruments, and
is now giving special attention to the manufacture of his
UNIVERSAL. APPARATUS
Electric Measurement,
Which consists of his Tangent Galvanometer and his Rheostat as
they have been recently improved; which, taken separately or
unitedly, constitute a means for correctly determining the resist-
ance of all conductors of electricity ; the resistance and insulation
of telegraph wires; the location of breaks, faults, crosses, &c. : the
relative specific resistance and conductivity of metals and other
conducting materiuls; the resistance and electro motive force of
batteries; as well as the. strength, quantity, or electro-chemical
equivalence of all currents ot diiiamie electricity. The capacities
of all other instruments for similar purposes combined, nre em-
braced in this one. Its measurements are accurate and absolute,
and are easily read oil' in British Association units, without the
necessity of arithmetical calculations. It packs in a ease, seven
inches deep and nine inches diameter, with a handled strap, con-
venient for safe transportation. ( onsidcring Iho wide range of its
capacity, it is cheaper than any other instruments,
Price of apparatus complete, is $200 to $230, according to style,
&c. Price, Tangent Galvanometers, $40 to $60.
Descriptive pamphlets may be had on application.
(P. O. Box 6503.)
88 VESE V STREET.
lie also pays special attention to tho manufacture of his
CELEBRATED HELICES
WHICH ARE OP
Naked Copper Wire,
So wound that tho convolutions are separated from each other by
a regular and uniform space of the 1 SUlMh of an inch, the layers
separated by thin paper, in Helices of silk Insulated wire, tho
I pace occupied by the silk is the 1 IfiOth to the l-.'ilKHh of an inch;
therefore a spool made of a given length and size of naked wire
will he smaller and will contain many more convolutions around
the core than one of silk Insulated wire, and will make a propor-
tionally stronger magnet, while the resistance will bo the same.
These Helices are now offered for the use ol manufacturers of
Telegraphic nnd Hluctricaj apparatus, and orders will bo filled
promptly and on reasonable terms.
VJ
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[February T, 1874 1
<HE PERFECT BATTERY.
CLEANLINESS. CONSTANCY. ECONOMY.
LOOKWOOD BATTERY,
PATENTED APRIL 8, 1873,
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO., Sole Agents,
No. 8 Dey Street, N. Y.
This Battery has been in extended practical use for more than
a year, and is now acknowledged by leading Electricians
in tliis country and Europe to be
FAR SUPEKIOR TO ALL OTHERS
for telegraphic purpose*, or closed circuits of any description.
This Battery received the FIR3T PREMIUM over
all competitors for
POWER, DURABILITY AND ECONOMY
AT THE
CINCINNATI INDUSTRIAL EXPOSITION OF 1871.
The size shown in the cut (N'o. 2). when charged with 5 lbs.
sulphate of copper per cell, is capable of working two or three
main circuits of average length for MOKE THAN OWE YEAR,
without any attention whatever. The copper and zinc" solu-
tions are perfectly separated, and there is
NO LOCAL ACTION,
and the circuit is absolutely uniform at all times. It is
equally well adapted for a
LOCAL BATTERY,
or for any purpose requiring a uniform, powerful and constant
current.
The number 2 size (price $2.50) is now ready for sale Other
styles are in preparation, and will soon be put on the market.
Send for Circular.
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.
8 Dey Street, New York,
S O I_i E3 AGENTS.
New York, Oct., 1873.
We have appointed Messrs. L. G. Tillotson & Co. Sole Agents
for the sale of the Lockwood Battery.
LOCKWOOD BATTERY CO.
W. H. Sawyer, Secretary.
RTON'S PATENT PENCIL HOLDER.
"SAVE THE PIECES."
This HOLDER is intended to save the last half or third of the
pencil.
DIRECTIONS.
When the pencil becomes too short t > write with comfortably,
shave down the butt and screw into th9 Holder. The screw
makes its own thread, and will hold the pencil perfectly firm.
Price, 25 cents each.
Sent by mail on receipt of price.
Price per doz., $1.80.
Agents for towns, and counties wanted.
GEO. H. BLISS & CO., Gen'l Agents,
41 Third ave„ Chicago, 111.
TXTATTS & COMPANY,
47 Holliday Street,
BALTIMORE,
MANUFACTURERS OF
ELECTRICAL AND TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
AND
Material of Every Description,
RELAYS, KEYS, SOUNDERS, COMBINATION SETS, &c, &c.
Nickel Plated Goods a Specialty.
A VERY SUPERIOR MAIN LINE SOUNDER,
ENTIRELY NEW.
SOLE MANUFACTURERS OF THE
PATENT CIRCUIT-CLOSER KEY,
Which has met with marked success.
Price, $5.50 plain ; $7 nickel plated.
The following is from a competent judge, written after some
weeks' trial.
145 Broadway, New York, )
Sept. 22d, 1873- J
Dear Sir— Your circuit-closing attachment on the key, left
with me for trial, is pronounced by all who have used it a de-
cided and much needed improvement on the common form.
Respectfully,
A. S. Brown,
The Best Form of Battery Insulator Offered.
SIMPLE AND PERFECT.
Made of porcelain, handsome in appearance Occcupies little
more space than the cell it supports. Each cell of battery com-
pletely isolated. Leakage is reduced to the miuimum by the
use of it.
General Superintendent Van Horn, Southern Division W. U.
Tel. Co., writes of it :
" We have now in use a thousand or fifteen hundred of your
battery insulators, and expect to order many more beforej the
close of the year.
We have never used any battery insulator that equals it in
any respect. In fact, it appears to be as near perfect as we can
reasonably expect, in a contrivance for that purpose."
Price 40 Cents.
We offer a very excellent article of Galvanized Wire, superior
to any in the market. The linemen on Baltimore and Ohio R.
R. say they have never seen its equal for toughness and
flexibility.
Special attention given to building.
Estimates given for any amount of material for telegraph
construction or extension.
SWITCHES, GALVANOMETERS, RESISTANCE COILS,
&c, to order.
Designs for Switch Boards for special service furnished.
SCOTT'S PATENT ANNUNCIATOR,
for Hotels and Residences.
/npHE BEST TELEGRAPH MATERIAL
. IN THE WORLD
IS SUPPLIED BY
JL. G. TILLOTSOF & CO.,
8 Dey Street, New York,
MANUFAOTUEEES, DEALERS aad IMPOETEES
Oil'
• TELEGRAPH MACHINERY, SUPPLIES
AND
Line Equipment of every Description
; MATERIAL AND INSTRUMENTS
; always on hand, for the equipment of liues of any length, at a
moment's notice.
We furnish first class goods at low prices. Liberal arrange-
ments made with Superintendents, Contractors and Builders
of Telegraph Lines.
Registers $38 00 to $45 00
Spring Registers 47 50
Relays 14 00 to 18 00
Sounders 3 50 to 7 50
Keys 4 00to 6 50
Main Line Sounders 14 00 to 18 00
Combination Sets 20 00 to 30 00
Galvanometers, $7 00 upward.
RATTLER TELEGRAPH SOUNDER, $3.50.
POCKET INSTRUMENTS, Nickel Plated, in Hard Rubber
Cases, I}x2x5 inches.
CUT-OUTS, Plug, Peg or Button, with or without Lightning
Arresters, for one, two or more Lines.
JONES' PATENT LOCK SWITCHES, the best and cheapest in
use, with or without Lightning Arresters.
PEG or PIN, CULGAN, REPEATING, GROUND, LOCAL.
BATTERY and SINGLE BUTTON SWITCHES.
LIGHTNING ARRESTERS for any number of wires, of most
approved patterns.
ELECTRO-MAGNETS,
PERMANENT MAGNETS,
APPARATUS for STUDENTS and
AMATEUR TELEGRAPHERS
ELECTRIC MOTORS,
PRINTING and DIAL
INSTRUMENTS,
ELECTRICAL ANNUNCIATORS.
FIRE and BURGLAR ALARMS,
ELECTRO-MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS.
RHUMKORFF COILS, from % to 10 inch spark.
GEISSLER'S TUBES, from $1.00 upwards
ELECTRICAL CALL AND ALARM BELLS in great variety,
from $6.50 upward.
INSTRUMENTS furnished Nickel Plated at 20 per cent, ad-
vance on List Price.
OFFICE WIRES, from 80c. to $1.25 per pound.
GUTTA-PERCHA COVERED WIRES, all sizes.
BISHOP'S NEW COMPOUND COVERED WIRE, for running
into offices, 4c. per foot.
MAGNET WIRES, in Silk and Cotton, at Factory prices.
INSULATED WIRES for special purposes made to order.
SILK COVERED SWITCH CORD, one, two or more conductors.
PATENT MESSAGE HOOKS, the best ever introduced, price*
65c. and 75c. per dozen.
MANIFOLD PAPER and AGATE STYLUS at bottom prices.
CABLES AND SUBMARINE WIRES.
REPAIRERS' TOOLS AND TOOL BAGS.
GLASS AND RUBBER WINDOW TUBES.
KENOSHA AND OTHER INSULATORS ■
OF EVERY DESCRIPTION.
BRACKETS. PINS AND SPIKES.
HILL, CALLAUD, GROVE, BUNSEN, CARBON, DANIELLS,
LEOLANCHE, NITRO-CHROMI0 AND OTHER
STYLES OF BATTERY IN ANY
QUANTITIES.
PURE CHEMICALS AT LOWEST PRICES.
SULPHATE OF COPPER A SPECIALTY, AND PRICES VERY
LOW.
CARBON PLATES made to order for Grenil, Smee, Stohrer and
other Batteries.
OFFICE FIXTURES AND BATTERY UTENSILS OF EVERY
DESCRIPTION.
"Smith's Manual of Telegraphy," .... 30 centB.
ALL STANDARD WORKS on ELECTRICITY & TELEGRAPHY.
SOLE AGENTS FOR
RICHARD JOHNSON & NEPHEW'S celebrated LINE WIRE.
Catalogue and Price List furnished upon application.
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
8 DEY STREET, NEW YORK ,
Vol. X.
New York, Saturday, February ljf, 187 J^.
Whole No. 396
/CHARLES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
^ 109 COURT STREET, BOSTON, MASS.,
MANUFACTURER OP
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
OP ALL KINDS,
<G-ALVANIC BATTERIES,
JONES' PATENT LOCK SWITCH,
PATENT ELECTRIC GONG-8,
" PRINTING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS.
ALSO, ON HAND AND FOR SALE,
D. W. PUTT & CO.'S Mechanical Telegraph
Instruments, -
"" Pope's Modern Practice of the Electric Telegraph,"
AND A FULL ASSORTMENT OF
TELEGRAPH MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES,
AT THE LOWEST PRICES.
/CANADIAN TELEGRAPH SUPPLY
MANUFACTURING COMPANY,
MANUFACTURERS OF
All kinds of Electrical Instruments
TELEGRAPH SUPPLIES.
AH orders promptly filled, at reasonable prices.
'Office and Factory,
352 and 3S4 KING STREET, WEST,
Toronto, Ont..
"YTTESTERN ELECTRIC
MANUFACTURING COMPANY
FURNISH ALL DESCRIPTIONS OF
Copper Office and Magnet Wire,
OF OUR OWN MANUFACTURE,
WITH
EVERY VARIETY OP INSULATION,
FINE RESISTANCE WIRE and DOUBLE and.
SINGLE CONNECTING CORD.
Western Electric Manufacturing Company,
CHICAGO.
/CHARLES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
^"^ (ESTABLISHED 1856.)
109 Court Street, Boston,
has for Bale the various binds of Office and Magnet Wires, in-
cluding Cotton Covered, Silk, Gutta Percha, Painted, Fancy, and
DAY'S KERITE COVERED WIRE.
EUGENE P. PHILLIPS,
MANUFACTURER OF
REED & PHILLIPS'
PATENT INSULATED TELEGRAPH WIRES,
Lock Box 169.
(PATENTED, NOVEMBER 18TH, 1813.)
PROVIDENCE, R. I.
Having recently enlarged our factory, we are now prepared
furnish at short notice any style and quantity of
BRAIDED LINEN or COTTON COVERED WIRE,
saturated and finished with our Patent Compound, which makes
the most durable, handsome and best insulated Braided Wire
manufactured.
PAINTED, PARAFFINE or SHELLAC WIRES
also furnished at the lowest prices. Iron or Compound Wires
covered upon reasonable terms.
- We are also prepared to furnish a new style of
ELECTRIC CORDAGE,
which has been pronounced by all superior to any in the market.
The American District and Gold and Stock Telegraph Com-
panies have been supplied from my works with a greater
portion of the office wire used by them.
J8®~ Sample Card and Price List furnished when requested.
Phillips 1 Wire can be had of
L. G. Tillotson & Co New York.
Charles T. Chester "
F. L. Pope & Co "
W. Hockhausen "
Patrick Bunnell & Co Philadelphia.
Watts & Co Baltimore.
Charles Williams, Jr Boston.
Thomas Hall "
George H. Bliss & Co Chicago.
General Superintendent 's Office,
American District Telegraph Co.,
New York, January 1st, 1874.
E. F. Phillips, Esq.
Dear Sir: Your office wire is a decided success. We have
used it exclusively for two years and consider it the best in the
market.
Respectfully,
W. H. SAWYER, Gen'l Sup't.
JOSEPH MOORE & SONS,
(Established 1820,)
535 & 537 CHINA STREET^
(Below Green St.,) PHILADELPHIA, Pa.,
MANUFACTURERS OF
INSULATED WIRES.
OFFICE WIRE— Plain, Braided, Prepared, &c.
INSTRUMENT WIRE— Cotton and Silk Covered, &o.
FLEXIBLE CORDS, all kinds, &c, &c.
We warrant all Wire to be of the highest conductivity, tested
by our Galvanometer, which compares with the tests of the
highest authority in this country.
rpiLLOTSON'S EXCELSIOR
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT.
(PATENTED JUNE 24, 1873.)
This apparatus is constructed of the best material, and finished
equal to any Telegraph Instrument, and is warranted first class
in every particular. It is especially adapted to the require-
ments of Students of Telegraphy and the operation of Private
Telegraph Lines.
Price, complete, Sounder and Key mounted on fin sly
finished Mahogany Base, with one Cell Hill's Pate it
Battery, with Chemicals, eight feet of Office Wire, and
"Smith's Manual of Telegraphy" $7 60
Two sets 14 50
Price of Sounder and Key only 6 50
" •• " with Cut Oat and Lightning
Arrester attached 7 50
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
No. 8 I)EY STREET, N. Y.
HHHE RAILROAD GAZETTE.
TELEGRAPHERS and TRAIN DESPATCHERS, and all men
in any way interested in or connected with Railroads, will find
this paper interesting and valuable. It is the best Railroad
paper in the world.
It is an illustrated journal of 24 quarto pages, about the size
of Harpers' 1 Weekly.
PRICE; - - - - $4 A YEAR.
Subscriptions will be received for three months at One Dollar.
Address,
A. N. KELLOGG & CO.,
72 BROADWAY, N. Y.
CALLAUD BATTERIES
KEPT ON HAND. AND ORDERS FILLED BY
W. MITCHELL MCALLISTER,
728 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia,
CHARLES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
109 Court Street, Boston,
AND BY THE
WESTERN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING 00.,
AGENTS FOR THE UNITED STATES,
220 East Kinzie Street, Chicago , III.
w
ALLACE & SONS,
MANUFACTURERS of
BRASS, COPPER & GERMAN SILVER WIRE.
Also, BRASS, COPPER and GERMAN SILVER,
in the Roll and Sheet.
We make the manufacture of Electric Wire a specialty—
especially the finer sizes of Copper for conduction, and German
Silver for resistance purposes — guaranteeing the conductivity of
the same in every instance to be superior to that of any othor
manufacturer in the market.
WAREHOUSE,
89 Chamber Street, N. Y.
MANUFACTORY,
A nsoii i.-i. Conn.
11
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[February 14, 1874^
A LEXANDER L. HAYES,
Late Assistant Examiner of Electrical and Telegraphic Apparatus,
TJ. S. Patent Office),
SOLICITOR OF PATENTS,
No. 17 PEMBERTON SQUARE,
{Room 12,)
BOSTON, MASS.
s
ECURITY MESSAGE HOOK.
PATENT APPLIED FOR.
The damage from the loss of a single message will equip a line
many times with our new Hook, which gives great security.
Price 30 cents each.
" per dozen $3.00.^^
Liberal terms to the trade.
GEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
41 Third Avenue, Chicago, 111.,
General Agents.
s
ECOND-HAND RELAYS.
A large lot of well polished and good working Relays for sale
very cheap ; also, several sets of
SICKS REPEATE'iRS,
in perfect order, at a nominal price.
GEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
41 THIRD AVE., Chicago, 111.
T3USSELLS' AMERICAN
-"* STEAM PRINTING HOUSE,
17, 19, 21, 23 ROSE STREET, near ERABKEOET,
NSW YORK,
EXECUTES ALL DESCRIPTIONS OF
E00E", JOB AND COMMEEGIAL PEIETMG.
TELEGRAPH PRINTING A SPECIALTY.
rpHOS. CHALMERS' SONS,
-*- MANUFACTUEEKS OF
ELECTRIC ANNUNCIATORS,
FOE
HOTELS, DWELLINGS, STEAMSHIPS, TACHTS,
etc., etc,
AND ALL KINDS OF
ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS,
BELLS, BATTERIES, WIRE, etc.,
BURGLAR ALARMS, FIRE ALARMS,
79 VAEICK ST BEET, MEW YORK.
A HAND-BOOK OE PRACTICAL TELE-
GRAPHY.
By R. S. CULLEY,
ENGINEER TO THE
ELECTRIC AND INTERNATIONAL
TELEGEAPH COMPANY.
Published with the sanction ot the Chairman and Directors of
the Electric and International Telegraph Company, and„adopted
by the Department of Telegraphs for India.
FOURTH EDITION,
REVISED AND ENLARGED.
vol.8vo, cloth $5 00.
Copies sent free by mail on receipt of price.
My new Catalogue of American and Foreign Scientific Books,
eighty pages, 8vo, sent to any address on receipt of ten cents.
D. VAN N0STKAND, Publisher,
23 MURRA Y STREET, N. Y.
HHHE AMATEUR'S
■*■ TELEGRAPH APPARATUS.
(Patented April 16th, 1872.)
This is a bona fide Telegraph Instrument, with a full sized
Trunnion Lever Key, with Eriction Circuit Closer and a Pony
Sounder, both on same base.
The Battery used is Bill's Patent Gravity Battery, the most
constant and economical in use.
With each Instrument is furnished
ONE CUP OF BATTERY,
TWO YARDS OFFICE WIRE,
ONE PACKAGE BLUE VITRIOL,
ONE PACKAGE SULPHATE ZINC,
and a " Manual of the Telegraph," for the instruction of be-
ginners. This is a sufficient outfit for the student.
In operating a short line there will only be required, in
addition to the above, more cups of battery, according to the
length of line.
A COMPLETE OUTFIT FOR A TELEGRAPH OFFICE,
Seven Dollars and. HFifty Cents.
Two Sets, complete $1* 5 "
Sounder and Key only • • • • 6 B0
• < " with Cut-out and Lightning Arrester... 7 60
We will pay expressage on Amateur Outfits when price is
remitted in Advance.
GEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
SOLE AGENTS,
41 THIRD AVENUE,
Chicago, III.
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
HAFFNER'S
TELEGRAPH MANUAL.
TO TELEGRAPHISTS.
I am now revising my "TELEGEAPH MANUAL," and desire
to make the work complete in its description of the present
state of
TELEGRAPHIC SCIENCE AND ART.
There are some Six Hundred and Twenty-five Elustra-
tions in the Edition of 1859, and the present coming Edition will
contain at least One Thousand, descriptive of the latest
improvements.
At present it is my design to issue two Volumes, containing
about 600 pages each, separating the Historical from the Ope-
rative.
I will thank any one for information suitable for such a work.
Would like drawings and description of apparatuses.
Respectfully,
TAL. P. SHAFFNEB,
78 and 80 Broadway,
NEW YORK.
~1 yfODERN PRACTICE OP THE ELEC-
TRIC TELEGRAPH.
A HAND-BOOK
FOE
ELECTRICIANS AND OPERATORS.
By FRANK L. POPE.
Seventh Edition, Revised and Enlarged by the addition of 40
pages of New Matter on
RECENT IMPROVEMENTS,
AND
FULLY ILLUSTRATED.
8vo, cloth, - - - - - $3.00
jggj- Copies sent free by mail on receipt of price.
My new Catalogue of American and Foreign Scientific Books
sent per mail, on receipt of ten cents.
D. VAN NOSTRAND, Publisher,
23 MURRAY STREET and 27 WARREN STREET.
rpHE BISHOP GUTTA PERCHA WORKS,,
422, 424, 426 EAST 25th ST., N. Y.
S. BISHOP, Proprietor,
ONLY MANUFACTURER
OF
PURE GUTTA PERCHA GOODS
IN THE
UNITED STATES.
4&
Has also on hand, and makes to order,
SUBMARINE CABLES, OFFICE CABLES, AND INSULATED-
WIRES OF EVERY VAKIETY,
FOB
TELEGRAPH, UNDERGROUND AND ELECTRIC USE.
Fuse Wires, Leading and Connecting Wires for SUBMARINE
and MINING PURPOSES.
Also, a NEW COMPOUND (thoroughly tested) for underground!
and out-door use.
Cotton, Linen, Silk and Fibre covered Wires for
MAGNET AND OFFICE USE,
of any pattern or style.
OFFICE WIRES,
Cotton and Gutta Percha covered, with any number of conductors
required.
Gutta Percha and Cotton covered Wires for HOTEL ANNUN-
CIATORS, ELECTRIC BELLS and BURGLAR ALARMS.
Has on hand and makes to order
SUBMARINE CABLES, INSULATED WIRES, for
TELEGRAPH AND ELECTRIC USE, .
AND FOB
BLASTING AND MINING PTIItTOSES.
In every variety desired.
As an Insulation for Telegraph Cables and Electric Conductors
Gutta Pebcha has been universally adopted by all scientific and.-
practical Eleotricians and Manufacturers of Telegraph Cables and
Wires in this country and Europe, and has sustained, with in-
creasing superiority in the practical test of over twenty-five
years' general use.
The PROPRIETOR will guarantee, to all parties purchasing
S5JBE$AR!WE TELEGRAPH CABLES,
to make and deliver at his Factory any style of Cable. Insulated
with Gutta Percha, as low as they can import Cable of the same
style and quality, and in half the time required to import them. .
CABLES OF ONE MILE OR LESS manufactured and de-
livered at one week's notice.
ORDERS RECEIVED AT THE FACTORY.
Messrs. L. G\ TELLOTSQN &' CO.,
8 PJEY STREET, NEW YORK,
have been appointed by me GENERAL AGENTS for the sale of
any Telegraph Cable or Wire manufactured at the Works in New
York, at Factory Prices, delivered in New York.
JOHN THOOLEY, 503 Chestnut St., Philadelphia,
has been appointed Agent for the sale of any and all goods manu-
factured by me, at Factory Prices, delivered in New York.
Any Goods manufactured (except Telegraph Goods) are for
sale in New York by
SARGENT & STUDLEY, 26 Park Place,
RUBBER CLOTHING CO.. 363 Broadway,.
D. H0DGMAN &C0..27 Maiden Lane,
SHEPARD & DUDLEY, 150 William St.-
Address all Communications to
S. BISHOP,
OFFICE AT FACTOR r.
February H, 1814.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
87
The Telegrapher
jk JOURNAL OF
ELECTRICAL PROGRESS.
PIIRI ISHFR
J.
N. AoMLtY,
SATURDAY,
FEBRUARY 14, 1874.
V
OL. X.
WHOLE No. 396.
Written for The Telegrapher.
A Psalm of (the Telegrapher's) Life.
Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Telegraphing is a dream ;
For the " plug " should die that slumbers
Or reads by the tape machine.*
For 'tis real, ditto earnest —
Imperfection's not its goal ;
Plug thou art, and plug remaineth,
Was not spoken of us all.
Others writing should remind us
We can make our writing fair ;
And our breaks be no more numerous
Than a good receiver's share.
Let us, then, begin to practice,
Making each our sphere in life ;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Shun contention, wrangling, strife.
Mauch Chunk, Pa., Febuary 9.
The Morse recording apparatus is referred to.
(Original %x\\t\t%.
The Bridge vs. the Differential Duplex.
By F. L. Popk.
In The Telegrapher of July 12, 1873, was pub-
lished a description of the Stearns Duplex Telegraph,
arranged on the differential plaD, which had at that
time been in successful operation for more than four
years, first on the lines of the Franklin, and more re-
cently upon those of the ."Western Union Telegraph
Company. Within a year past another form of duplex
apparatus, upon a different principle, also invented by
Mr. Steams, has been largely introduced upon the
Western Union lines. The patent for this latter sys-
tem, which is known as the " bridge duplex," was
granted November 12, 1872. It involves the principle
of the well known electrical balance, or Wheatstoue
bridge, the respective resistances being so adjusted as
shunt the outgoing curieut around the receiving relay,
leaving the latter in a neutral condition, ready to be
affected solely by the current arriving from the distant
station.
Although the "bridge duplex" has always been a
great favorite with the electricians and managers of
the Western Uniou Company, judging from the num-
ber of them that have been placed on the lines, the
opiuion of the practical telegraphers who actually do
the work has almost uniformly been strongly in favor
of the differential system, the generaMmpression being
that the latter worked much better than the bridge
instrument under unfavorable conditions of insulation.
As this is a_matter of a good deal of practical impor-
tance, a short discussion and comparison of the princi-
ples involved in the question will be of interest to the
readers of this journal.
The accompanying diagram will serve to illustrate
the arrangement of circuits in the bridge system. Only
one terminal station is shown, the opposite station be-
ing its exact counterpart in every particular.
One pole of the main battery, E, is connected with
the ground, and the other with the lever of the key K.
A supplementary lever, K', is so arranged at the back
of the key lever that when the latter is depressed con-
tact is made between K and K' before it is broken be-
tween K' and P — the effect of which is to keep the lat-
ter connected direct to the ground, except when the
battery E is inserted by depressing the key. "When a
current is thus sent from the battery E it divides at H,
one portion going through A to the line L, and the
other going through B and the rheostat X to the
ground. The relay R — which is of the ordinary kind —
is placed in a circuit between F and G, called the
"bridge wire."
The circuits being thus arranged, it will be obvious
to any one familiar with the principle of the bridge,
that when the various resistances are arranged in the
following proportion :
A : B : : L ■ X,
no cm-rent will flow through the bridge wire F G, and
consequently the relay R will not be in the least
affected by the outgoing current.
On the other hand, if the line current be increased
by. the closing of the key at the opposite end, the addi-
tional current arriving at F will divide — part going by
A to H, and part going through the relay R to G and
thence through B to H, where it joins the first men-
tioned portion, and the reunited currents go through
K' to the ground. A portion also diverges at G and
passes to the ground through X.
Now, if we carefully examine the diagram, we shall
find that, in order to send the greatest possible portion
of the curreut into the line, the resistances of B and X
should be as large as possible in comparison with the
resistances of A. and L. Again, the most favorable
proportion of resistances for receiving is the one that
will cause the greatest proportion of the current to
pass through the bridge wire F G and relay R. In
order to do this we must make A as great as possible
in comparison with R and B.
It will, therefore, be evident that the best arrange-
ment for transmitting is the most unfavorable for re-
ceiving, and vice versa, and that in practice it is
necessary to find the most advantageous compromise
between these antagonistic conditions.
A series of experiments, made by inserting a tangeut
galvanometer in the bridge wire instead of a receiving
relay, have shown that the best results are attained
when the proportion between the various resistances
corresponds with the figures given in the diagram, or
A = 1,000, B == 500, L = 4,000, X = 2,000, R = 500.
These figures are the same as those given in an ar-
ticle describing this system published in the Journal
of the Telegraph, Sept. 1, 1873.
Taking these, therefore, for our basis of calculation,
let us ascertain how much current can be made to pass
through the relay in order to record the incoming sig-
nal.
The joint resistance of the two routes from G via X
,_, . 2000 x 500 ... .,.-.. .
aud B is = 400. Add the relay resistance,
500, and we have 900 as the total resistance of the
relay route between F and the ground. The resist-
ance of the branch A is 1000; therefore the current
dividing at F will give the relay {§, or .526— only a
little more than one half of the current received from
the line at F. But the current has already been di-
vided at the sending station aud two thirds sent to
ground through B and X, leaving ouly one third to go
to line, which, upon reaching F at the receiving sta-
tion, is again divided, the relay getting but one half of
this, or only about 16 per cent, of the entire current
leaving the battery at the sending station, even under
the most favorable circumstances.
It is not practicable to increase the sensitiveness of
the receiving relay by substituting one of lighter re-
sistance, because by so doing a greater proportion of
the current is forced through the branch A, and the
amount passing through the relay correspondingly
diminished. On the other hand, if au attempt be made
to lessen the resistance of the relay, the current passing
through it is indeed increased, but the number of con-
volutions in the helices is lessened, and the magnetic
effect diminished iu the same ratio.
The proportion of the current arriving at the receiv-
ing station, which is given iu the above calculation,
will ordinarily be still further diminished by leakages
ou the line, aud it has been found in practice that the
bridge system can scarcely be worked at all on a long
line in wet weather. Efforts have been made to in-
crease its efficiency by " piling on more battery " — the
usual panacea for badly working lines — with substan-
tially the usual result — that of increasing the escape
and adding to the general misery.
"When we compare the results of the two duplex
systems, we find that they may be summed up as fol-
lows : In Mr. Stearns' first system — the differential —
50 per cent, of the current leaving the battery at the
sending station reaches the receiving relay ; while in
his second system — the bridge — only 16 per cent,
reaches the same point. One of our loading electri-
cians thinks that " it would be difficult for any one to
"devise a more beautiful and ingenious aud at the
" same time utterly useless improvement, than Mr.
" Stearns has given us in his bridge duplex." The
great intrinsic merits of the differential system have
enabled it to triumph over the numerous obstacles that
beset it, and its success has now become an established
fact. It is certainly somewhat singular that such a
persistent effort should have been made on the "West-
ern Union lines to supersede it by a system so radi-
cally inferior in every respect as that which has just
been described.
- — ■ »• »
The Telegraphs and Telegraphers of a Quarter
of a Century Ago.
By Old Telegrapher.
The telegraphic reminiscences which appeared in
The Telegrapher some months since, prepared by
the writer, called forth some very interesting communi-
cations from telegraphers relating their early experi-
ence. The subject is by no means exhausted, and it is
to be hoped that we shall have more of them. Those
who have engaged in the telegraph business within
comparatively a few years past, have but little appreci-
ation of the difficulties and disadvantages which their
predecessors experienced when the telegraphic art was
comparatively novel, and electrical science but imper-
fectly understood. The practical operation of telegraphs
then was, to a considerable extent, a groping in the
dark, and even the best qualified for their duties but
imperfectly comprehended the nature of the problems
which were daily presented to them for solution.
The theories which were from time to time propound-
ed, and the efforts which were made to demonstrate
practically their correctness, involved the sacrifice of a
considerable amount of the capital invested, and retard-
ed rather than promoted telegraphic progress and
success.
The surface theory, so called — that is, the theory
that electricity was propagated on the surface of the*
conductor rather than through the mass— at one time
had many adherents, and the old New York* and Boston
House line (as was stated iu The Telegrapher of
March 15, 1873), was constructed on this theory. In-
stead of a single conducting wire, seven small wires
were mechanically twisted together, and the twisted
iron cord was stretched between the two cities. When
new this did not materially interfere with the transmis-
sion of electric signals, as the three wires in effect
formed a single conductor. In a short time, however,
these small wires became oxydized, and the resistance
to the passage of the signal must have been something
enormous. As galvanometers for testing resistance
were then but little known, the amount of this resist-
ance cannot now be stated, but that it sadly interfered
with successful telegraphy those who were then re-
quired to operate the lines very sensibly appreciated.
The actual cause of the difficulty experienced was not
understood at the time, but that it existed was pain-
fully evident to everybody concerned. Another diffi-
culty, arising from this peculiar construction of the con-
ductor, was, that it became so thoroughly oxydized and
consequently weakened that it was constantly beiug
broken.; and one of the most important qualifications of
an operator was to be au expert line repairer. The line
was built upon the highway, aud every office had in its
monthly accounts a heavy outlay for horse hire and for
teams engaged to transport the operators in the search
for "breaks." The number of operators employed, es-
pecially in the way offices, was very limited ; and it was
customary, when a break occurred between any two of-
fices, for the operator in each to close his office aud "go
out on the line." It was a very common thing for cus-
tomers desirous of forwarding messages to find, upon
going to the office for that purpose, that it was closed,
and a paper stuck upon the door announcing the fact
that the operator had gone out to repair the line ; or,
perhaps, a messeuger in charge, who coolly informed
them that the line was down and the operator would
" probably be back to-morrow." How much business
would a telegraph line be likely to obtain, or retain, if a
similar policy were now pursued ?
The advantage to the company of such a policy was
twofold. First, the expense of this system of repairs;
and, secondly, the loss of business from the time the
line was repaired until the return of the operator from
a tour of from twenty to forty miles by team. This
system of line repairing was continued for several
years, and until the business became more extensive
aud more thoroughly systematized. The printed in-
structions issued to the managers and operators of a
liue upon which the writer was employed as late as
1855-56, among other things directed them, when the
line was " down," to take the fastest horse that could
be obtained and proceed to repair the difficulty and re-
turn to their offices with all possible speed, so as to be
ready for business.
Telegraphers were not averse to this system, although
it at all times imposed upon them severe labor. They
used to have certain points of meeting, and made their
excursions occasions of v^ry pleasant reunions, which
otherwise would have been of rare occurrence.
Another fallacy, which was almost universal, was
when there was auj - difficulty iu working the lines,
that did not amount to a total interruption of con-
ductivity, to pile on battery in order to force the sig
38
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[February 14, 1874.
nals through the wire. The Grove battery was consid-
ered the only one suitable for telegraphic purposes,
and every operator was expected to know how to set
up and take care of the battery. In none but the
largest offices was there a person whose special duty it
was to take charge of the battery, and every office was
expected to have on hand an extra battery, to be added
to the regular battery whenever there was an increase
of the ordinary escape, which at all times, except in
very dry or very cold weather, was considerable. The
writer has frequently, when in charge of a large office,
directed the battery man to add fifty to seventy-five
cells of Grove battery to the very large batteries
always used, in order to work through escape.
Although even now making but small pretension to
scientific knowledge, he would know that in such cases
a reduction rather than an increase of battery would
be likely to prove advantageous. At that time, how-
ever, even those who made considerable pretension to
electrical knowledge, believed that adding to the bat-
tery power was the proper thing to do when troubled
with escape of the electric current. The increase of the
capacity of the conductor, and more careful insulation,
have so largely decreased the necessity for battery that
a large saving in this item of expenditure has been
made. That this is capable of being still further
economized there can be no doubt, and when, as in
course of time must inevitably be the case, telegraph
lines are more thoroughly insulated than they are even
now, the waste of battery will be reduced to the mini-
mum, as it is now on some lines.
The characteristics of the old time telegraphs have
already been touched upon in previous articles by the
present writer, and by others who have supplemented
them by their interesting communications, which have
appeared in the columns of The Telegrapher.
But few of them remain connected with the busi-
ness. Many of them have said their last " good night,"
and have gone to their final account, where crosses,
breaks and bad insulation shall trouble them no more.
Nearly the ordinary lifetime of a generation has passed
since the time to which reference is here made, and na-
turally death has greatly depleted the number of those
who, with high hopes and anticipations of what the tel-
egraph was to become (which it may be truthfully said
have already been more than realized), engaged in a
business which possessed for them no ordinary fasci-
nation. They were mainly young men, and generally
intelligent, and enterprising, and, if their Bohemian style
of existence had a tendency to somewhat demoralize
them, they were usually faithful employes, and labored
earnestly for the interests of the lines with which they
were connected. That they had their faults it would be
folly to deny, but their virtues also were great, and
their love for their business and devotion to it was ex-
ceptional and commendable. There were undoubtedly
some black sheep among them, but their failings and
errors generally injured themselves more than others.
Those of them who are still connected with tele-
graphy generally occupy responsible positions, to
which their long experience fully entitles them. Those
by whom these lines may be read will recognize their
truthfulness, and it is hoped will add their own expe-
rience and observation to the general fund, for the in-
struction and amusement of the generation which now
manipulate the instruments, and has taken the posi-
tions as employes which they once held.
The writer looks back with interest and affection
to the many years past, when he was one of the then
limited band of telegraph operators, and to those with
whom he was then associated. Nothing gives him more
pleasure than to meet these old time friends, and again
revive the memories of the past ; and, as he recalls those
who have gone from the joys, and sorrows, the suc-
cesses and pleasures, and the troubles and tribulations
of earth, he is saddened at the thought that he shall
meet them no more in this life.
'* After life's fitful fever they sleep well,"
and in a few days we too shall become but a memory
of the past, and shall
" Take our places in the silent hall of death."
It is for us that remain that regret and sorrow should
be felt. For those who have gone before us we should
rather rejoice, because their warfare is ended. They
have fonght life's battle, and for them there is no fur-
ther need of apprehension, of disappointment, suffering
or trouble.
The telegraphs and telegraphers of the present day
are unlike those which have been briefly and imperfect-
ly depicted in these articles. In many respects there
has been very marked improvement, but, in the ability
and good qualities of the persons engaged in the busi-
ness, the old time telegraphers will compare favorably
with the generation which has succeeded them.
Resignation of and Presentation to Mr. Charles
P. Hoag.
Mr. Charles P. Hoag, chief operator of the "Western
Union Telegraph Company, of this citv, having tendered
his resignation, which was to take effect yesterday, as
he was about to leavo the office yesterday was called
over to Mr. Urquhart's desk, where Mr. C. S. Cunning-
ham, on behalf of the operators, addressed him as fol-
lows:
"Mr. Hoag — ¥e were surprised when we heard of
your determination to surrender the profession in which
you have so brilliantly distinguished yourself, and
grieved because we know and feel that we are losing a
kind friend, and the company a most worthy chief ope-
rator. I wish my brother operators had selected one
who could in words give you an adequate idea of their
appreciation of you as a gentlemen and an operator.
During our association with yon, your kind and gentle-
manly deportment, your attention to your arduous du-
ties, and your readiness at all times to consult the wishes
and desires of those under you, have secured for you
our love and confidence. Tour even and cheerful dis-
position had a tendency to lighten our labors and cre-
ate that harmony so essential in our profession ; and
we feel that when you depart we have lost a valued
friend and a most agreeable associate. Asa slight proof
of our esteem we beg your acceptance of this chain and
locket. Our only regret is that circumstances prevent
us from tendering you something more valuable and
worthy of the feeling which auimates us. We hope you
will wear it in remembrance of the happy days we have
spent together — and that in your new and more respon-
sible duties you will be equally successful in meriting
public confidence and esteem. We wish you, your ami-
able wife and children, a long, happy and prosperous
life."
Mr. Hoag, in a few well chosen remarks, thanked the
operators, and concluded by saying that he had
worked a long time for the company, but he would ad-
mit that this was the best " receiving " he ever did. Mr.
Hoag is about to embark with his brother in the wind-
mill business, an invention of their own. for which they
have received a patent. — Alto California.
messengers, which, I presume, your readers know all
about, as you have it in Boston ; but, in brief, it is the
quickest and most convenient method of sending mes-
sages or packages ever invented, and, consequently, it
is universally popular. The telegraph company which
secures this will have an advantage in city distribution
which can hardly be appreciated, except by those who
have tried city despatches. The American District
Telegraph Company, of Few York, is the parent con-
cern, and the District Telegraph Company, of Boston,
Philadelphia, Chicago, St. Louis, etc., are offshoots. It
is probable that the Western Union, from its great in-
fluence, will secure these lines, and finally incorporate
them, and they are now negotiating; hence the ad-
vance of American District Telegraph stock lately."
Suit Against the Western Union Telegraph
Company.
The Indianapolis Journal gives the following in re-
ference to a suit for $50,000 damages brought against
the "Western Union Telegraph Company by a man
named Ericsson, a theatrical manager, the injury being
received, as alleged, through an operator's divulging
the contents of a message: '* The theatre troupe over
which Ericsson presided was playing an engagement
at North Yernon, Ind., and became somewhat pressed
for money. He telegraphed his brother for funds. The.
brother responded as follows : ' No money here. Hold
fast to all you get. Come home. Be sure and bring my
dog.' One of the company, having his suspicions
aroused from some cause, came to the telegraph opera-
tor, and by representing himself as Ericsson's partner,
succeeded in gettiug a copy of the despatch, on the
strength of which he caused the manager's arrest and
incarceration in the jail, where he remained for a brief
interval of time. The complaint alleges that the plain-
tiff had in his employ a large number of '.stars,' se-
cured at an enormous expense, was making money
rapidly on account of the excellence of his company,
and that upon his arrest the company disbanded, srreatiy
to his detriment, financially and otherwise. His an-
guish of soul, during his stay in jail, be thought" could
be assuaged by the payment of a few thousands. Every
item was set out with the most excruciating exactness
in detail. Desirous of settling some questions of im-
portance involved the suit in the highest courts. Mr.
Wallick, the manager of the Western Division of the
telegraph company, has succeeded in having the case
transferred to the United States Courts of this district,
where it will be decided, probably next term."
Electricity.
We stated, a short time since, that arrangements of
an important character were pending, having for their
object the development of electricity as a lighting and
motive power. That this mysterious power is capable
of being applied to many purposes of art, science and in-
dustry, has been already fully established, and there are
yet many other purposes, at present only indicated, to
which it may doubtless be applied with a success not
less complete than that which has been achieved in the
electric telegraph. For purposes of lighting our thor-
oughfares and public buildings, for lighthouses and
ship lights, electricity has already shown itself to be
thoroughly well adapted; and all that is required for its
extended application to these purposes is that the mat-
ter should be taken up in a practical and business-like
manner. In the departments of art and manufacturing
industry a wide and at present comparatively unoccu-
pied field exists for the application of this invaluable
agent. In connection with the working of our railway
system, with which we are more particularly interested,
there would appear to be no reason why a very general
economy might not be effected by the substitution of
the electric light for the present expensive mode of
lighting by gas. Night signals might be given by the
electric light iu the place of the oil and gas at present
employed. Electricity is successfully employed, and
may be still further extended in the communication, and
for keeping accurate time on all the railway clocks ; iu
railway trains it may be applied for purposes of railway
breaks ; and we believe the day is not far distant when
even steam itself shall be superseded by electricity as a
motive power.
Hitherto electric science has been treated too much
in the nature of a philosophical toy, and its most emi-
nent professors have been content to keep to them-
selves many of the brilliant results which they have
obtained, and frequently overlooking, in the ardor of
their scientific researches, the practical value of results
which have been reached. One thing, at all events, in
connection with electricity,has been fully demonstrated,
which is, that it affords a cheap and efficient motive
power. Enterprise has but to apply it to the many
purposes to which it is adapted; but enterprise itself
requires the motive power of capital. We are in a po-
sition to state that this essential has been provided. A
company has been registered for the purpose of taking
over the manufacture of all Sir Charles Wheatstone's
inventions in electro-magnetic telegraphs, electro-mag-
netic clocks, mechanical clocks, with all the improve-
ments connected with the patents. The company also
take over the good will and stock in trade, and will ap-
ply the capital to be raised generally in " assisting and
promoting the economic application and development
of electrical power." The capital consists of the small
sum of £30,000, the whole of which has been already
privately subscribed. The subscribers to the capital
signing the articles of association are Sir Charles
Wheatstone, 19 Park Crescent, Regent's Park, W. ; K.
Sabine, Esq., 172 Great Portland street, W. ; H. Em-
ber, 79 Lombard street, London : F. Braby, Mount Hen-
ley, Sydenham ; Sir S. Canning, 7 Great Winchester
street Buildings, W.; T. H. Pulestou, 41 Lombard street,
and W. Abbot, 10 Tokenhouse yard. — The Railway
News.
The total number of messages forwarded from postal
telegraph stations in the United Kingdom during the
week ended January 17, 1874, was 328,946; an increase
over the corresponding week last year of 45,267.
The Opposition to the Western Union Company.
The New York correspondent of the Daily Evening
Traveller, of Boston, Mass., writes to that paper in re-
gard to the opposition to the Western Union Telegraph
Company as follows :
" I don't believe you will be afraid to publish the
fact, in this connection, that the Western Union is really
menaced now by the most serious opposition it has ever
encountered. A few years since this company had the
Atlantic and Pacific and Franklin in its grasp, but in
some way it has lost it. I think I could tell you how,
but it is unnecessary. Now there is to be a struggle
which will be far more serious to the Western Union
than any it has yet encountered. In anticipation of
this, the Western Union had already monopolized the
Gold and Stock Telegraph Company, but have since al-
most lost that advantage by persisting in charges which
brought the Manhattan Company into life, and now the
American District Telegraph Company becomes an ob-
ject of competition. This is a distribution telegraph by
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our
Correspondents. Our columns are open to free discussions
on all Telegraphic subjects, without distinction of person or
opinion.
No uotice will be taken of anonymous communications.
Congress and the Telegraph.
Washington, D. C, Feb. llth.
To the Editor op The Telegrapher.
There has been no mentiou of telegraph matters in
either house of Congress since my last week's letter
was written. What the Springfield Republican humor-
ously styles " the William Orton and Gardner Hubbard
debating society," before the Senate Post-office Com-
mittee, Iseems to have substantially ended for the pres-
February 14, 1814.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
39
ent with Mr. Hubbard's reply to Mr. Orton's last
speeches before the committee. Postmaster Burt, of
Boston, Mass., favored the committee with his opinion
that the messages could be delivered by the postmen
as promptly as letters are now delivered, which it is to
be presumed even Mr. Orton would not undertake to
dispute, and this seems to have brought the perform-
ance to a close for the present. The committee has
agreed to print the arguments and evidence on the sub-
ject, which will be a good thing, as private enterprise
certainly would not undertake the job. Fortunately,
although the committee may print, but few are com-
pelled to read them, and so no great harm will be done.
It cannot be denied that, however able and convincing
these arguments and the evidence accompanying them
may be, they lack the elements of freshness and nov-
elty which would insure them a general perusal and
consideration. . Besides, as it is a foregone conclusion
that the Hubbard scheme and Mr. Creswell's postal
telegraph have neither of them any chance of favorable
consideration from this Congress, there is a plentiful
lack of interest in anything relating thereto. We have
other fish to fry in Congress, and can't waste time
upon any impracticable telegraph propositions now.
Having got their arguments before the Senate Com-
mittee and printed, Mr. Hubbard and Mr. Orton can
retire with the consciousness that their duty has been
discharged, and that a grateful constituency will hold
them in remembrance until the next session.
Mr. Orton's prestige has been rather damaged by the
demonstration of the Automatic Telegraph System re-
cently made, the details in regard to which have been
printed in circular form and generally distributed here,
and were also printed in the Republican yesterday
morning. The inaccuracy of his statements and asser-
tions in regard to the Automatic System, in his letter to
the Postmaster General, were so completely and prac-
tically demonstrated on this occasion, and that, too, in
the very presence of his friend and electrical guide and
councillor, Mr. G. B. Prescott, that he must feel rather
chagrined at having been led to make them in so pos-
itive a manuer. As he must realize, from the mortify-
ing position in which he has been placed, first in regard
to the Duplex and now in regard to the Automatic, it
isn't safe to decry and denounce telegraphic and elec-
trical inventions and systems because they do not ex-
actly accord with your interests and prejudices for the
time being.
Mr. William L. Ives, of Seneca Palls, N. Y., has
been appointed by the President of the Senate operator
in the Senate wing of the Capitol, on the line connect-
ing the Capitol and the several Government Depart-
ments.
The Secretary of War has transmitted to the House
of Representatives, with a request that it may receive
early attention, a communication from the Chief Quar-
termaster of the Military Department of Arizona, which
states that, " In view of the fact that there is no law,
national or territorial, affixing a penalty beyond that
for a misdemeanor, for tampering with the military tel-
egraph lines, and in view of the fact that the territorial
legislature will not convene for over a year, the propri-
ety of requesting the action of the proper authority,
looking to the necessary legislation on the subject by
the present Congress, is respectfully suggested for the
consideration of the commanding General."
This is approved and forwarded by General Crook,
commanding the Department, who adds a recommen-
dation that Congress be requested to pass an act affix-
ing penalties equal to the severest imposed by any of
the State Legislatures for this offence, and offering suit-
able pecuniary rewards as an inducement to all parties
to discover and deliver up any persons who tamper
with the wires in the territory.
The communication was referred to the Military
Committee and ordered printed. Capitol.
The Claims of the Page Patent.
New York, February 9.
To the Editor or the Telegrapher.
Will you please enlighten me as to what is claimed
by the Page Patent, mentioned so frequently in your
very interesting columns. Having been " disconnected "
from telegraphy for upwards of eighteen years, is my
only excuse for making an inquiry that may seem ridicu-
lous to most of your readers, but the patent was cer-
tainly not well known when I had the pleasure of
being an operator. Ni.
Answer.— The following are the claims of Prof. Page,
as contained in the patent issued to him under date of
April 14, 1868:
Claim — 1. An induction coil apparatus, consisting of a primary
and secondary circuit, when said secondary circuit is many
times (that is to say, two, three or more times) the length of the
primary cirouit, having the connections so arranged that shocks,
sparks, and electro-static result* may be obtained from the sec-
ondary circuit alone, or from the combined primary and second-
ary circuits, or from the primary alone, or from portions of
either circuit, substantially as set forth.
2. The combination of an automatic cirouit breaker with
either a primary coil alone, or a primary and secondary coil com-
bined, substantially as set forth.
3. The combination of a mechanical circuit breaker with a pri-
mary and secondary coil combined, substantially as set forth.
4. The combination of both a mechanical and automatic circuit
breaker with a primary and secondary coil combined, substan-
tially as set forth.
6. The combination of a primary and secondary coil, enclosing
an electro-magnet, with an automatic circuit breaker, substan-
tially as set forth.
6. The combination of a primary and secondary coil, enclosing
a compound or divided electro-magnet, with an adjustable auto-
matic circuit breaker, substantially as set forth.
7. The combination of a primary and secondary coil, enclosing
a compound electro-magnet, with an attached hammer circuit
breaker, substantially as set forth.
8. The spark arresting circuit breaker, whether used with a
primary coil alone or a primary and secondary combined, sub-
stantially as set forth.
9. The spark arresting circuit breaker, whether used with a
coil or coils enclosing an electro-magnet, substantially as set
forth.
10. The spark arresting circuit breaker, whether attached to or
independent of the primary or primary and secondary coils, sub-
stantially as set forth.
11. The adjustment of the retractile force of an automatic cir-
cuit breaker, substantially as set forth.
12. In combination with such adjustment, I claim adjusting the
distance of the hammer, or the armature, from the pole or poles
of the electro-magnet which actuates them, as set forth. .
13? Adjusting or regulating the length of vibration of the circuit
breaking bar by means of a set screw, or any mechanical equiva-
lent for substantially the same purpose, substantially as herein
set forth.
14. The employment of one electro-magnetic instrument to open
and close the circuit of another electro-magnetic instrument,
using either one battery for both or separate batteries for each,
substantially as set forth.
15. The employment of separate and independent batteries to
operate an elertro-magnetic circuit breaker, and the circuit which
is broken by it, substantially as set forth.
. These claims were reviewed and examined in The Tel-
egrapher of February 25th and March 4 th, 1871. On
the 10th of October, 1871, the patent was reissued to
Mrs. Priscilla Webster Page, administratrix of the estate
of Charles Grafton Page, deceased, assignor to the
Western Union Telegraph Company, New York. The
first ten claims of the reissue are identical with those
in the original patent. The remaining and important
claims of the reissued patent are as follows :
11. The adjustment of the retractile force of an automatic cir-
cuit breaker, substantially as set forth.
12. The combination of an electro-magnet, armature and adjust-
able retractor-
13. Adjusting or regulating the length of vibration of the ar-
mature of an electro-magnet by means of a Bet screw, or any me-
chanical equivalent for substantially the same purpose, substan-
tially as herein set forth.
14. The employment of one electro-magnet to open and close
the circuit of another electro-magnet, using either one battery for
both or separate batteries for each, substantiaUy as set forth.
15. The employment of separate and independent batteries to
operate an electro-magnetic circuit breaker, and the circuit which
is broken by it, substantially as specified.
These claims of the reissued patent, as above, were
printed in The Telegrapher of October 14, 1871. —
IEditor of The Telegrapher.
Death of Mr. Charles F. Simmons.
San Francisco, Cal., February 1.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
For two or three weeks past I have looked for some
notice in your paper of the death of an old telegrapher,
hoping that some one of his numerous friends would
send some word to you, but as none seem to take suffi-
cient interest, I, who have been associated with him
for a number of years, venture to do so.
Mr. Charles F. Simmons, a native of Poughkeepsie,
N. Y., died December 22d, 1873, of aneurism of the
heart, after an illness of four days.
Mr. Simmons came to this city in 1859 with Mr.Wm.
Blanchard, under an engagement with Messrs. Lovett,
for the purpose of introducing the combination printing
telegraph instrument.
He was subsequently employed in the Western
Union office for several years, and in 1865, upon the
organization of the San Francisco Fire Alarm Tele-
graph, he was appointed operator, where he remained
up to the time of his death.
F. G. Wood,
Operator Fire Alarm and Police Telegraph.
A Presentation.
To the Editor op The Telegrapher.
Mr. E. P. Adams, who for fifteen years has served
the Grand Trunk Railroad and Montreal Telegraph
Company at Gorham, N. H., has been offered and has
accepted the position of Agent on the Central Pacific
Railroad, at Corinne, Utah. On the eve of his depart-
ure, December 24th, a goodly number of his friends,
employes of the Grand Trunk Railroad and citizens of
Gorham, surprised him at his officej where he was pre-
sented with a magnificent Swiss gold watch, valued at
$160, by Thomas Giffard, Esq., for the donors. The
closing lines of his very appropriate speech we will in-
sert :
"Mr. Adams.
" We are sorry to hear that you are about to leave
us for the distant West. Yet, as we hope the change
may be for the benefit, physically, of yourself and dear
companion, and also your financial benefit, we will not
bid you remain, and shall always be glad to hear of
your prosperity ; but should you ever return, we will
be ready to welcome you with warm hearts and open
hands.
"As a token of our friendship please accept this
watch — not for its intrinsic value, but rather as some
tangible expression of the esteem in which you are held
by these your friends. As you look upon it day after
day, to remind you how time is passing, may it remind
you of the many happy days we have spent in your
society, and that among the old Granite Hills, and
those other places here represented, you have left be-
hind many true and admiring friends.
" Let me also assure you, sir, that we will miss you.
Yes, we will miss you when you cease from our society,
as if a calm familiar star shot suddenly and brightly
from our vision ; we will gaze wistfully down the path
where you have vanished, and in the long after-time
our hearts, which you have helped to make happy,
will recall your memory with gratitude and tears."
Mr. Adams then responded in a few terse and perti-
nent remarks, followed by several speeches of regret
that he was about to leave them, and all united in
wishing him prosperity and happiness in his new home.
W.
» » «
A Bullock.
Dixie, February 4.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
The following office messages passed through my
hands to-day. I believe they will explain themselves
to the intelligent telegrapher :
" To Vicksburg, Miss., Ofs.
" Give better address, yours 3d to Capt. H. H. Broad«
stearnes, signed Cooper. Can't find party.
" Selma, Ala., Ofs."
" To Selma, Ala. Ofs.
" Destroy it. The message goes to Capt. H. H.
Bioad, steamer Selma, at New Orleans.
" Vicksburg, Miss., Ofs."
The message was originally sent to New Orleans
direct. Q. Clucks.
»*-.
Answers to Correspondents.
Silver State. — Your favor of January 31st received, and
amount appropriated as directed. There is no doubt about the
writer being a female.
Mr. Harry I. Talley, telegraph operator, German-
town Junction, Philadelphia, Pa., desires to learn the
present address of Mr. Frank B. Schall, telegraph
operator, who left New York last June. Anyone who
can give the desire information is requested to address
as above.
Mr. Charles P. Hoag has resigned the situation of
chief operator of the San Francisco, California, West-
ern Union office, to engage in other business.
Mr. John R. Yontz has been appointed chief
operator of the San Francisco,. California, Western
Union office, in place of Charles P. Hoag, resigned.
New Patents.
tSf Official Copies of any XT. S. Patent issued since July
1st, 1871, including drawings, specifications and claims in full, sent
free to any address for 25 cents each. Address P. L. Pope, P. O.
Box 5603, New York City.
For the week ended January 20, 1874, and bearing that date.
No. 146,603.— Electric Bell Striking Apparatus. — Lewis H.
McCullough, Richmond, Ind., assignor of two thirds his
right to Elwood Patterson and Isaac G. Dougau, same place.
Application filed September 4, 1873.
Hammer held suspended against force of one spring by action
of another spring or weight, exerted through a train of gearing
held by the armature of a magnet taking against a detent. The
train released, the hammer is instantaneously thrown against the
gong by the one spring, and then raised by the other through a
sectional gear and a rack pinion.
1. A bell, hammer and detent, in combination with a prime
mover for raising the hammer, and a spring for discharging it,
the opposing forces being nearly balanced when the hammer la
held suspended, so as to reduce the pressure on the detent to a
minimum.
2. An alarm bell in which the hammer is lifted against the
force ol a spring, and thus held suspended by clock work, ready
to deliver the blow.
3. An alarm bell in which, during eaoh beat of the work, the
hammer delivers a blow, and is also again lifted and held sus-
pended for another discharge.
4. The combination of the segmental pinion B of suitable
clock work, rack A 2 on the stem of the hammer, spring O, revolv-
ing stop pin /aud armature G of an electro-magnet, substantially
as and for the purpose specified.
5. The combination of the rack A* on the stem of the hammer,
spring O, pinion B, revolving stop pins/ and/', and armature G,
provided with a notched lug, g g', substantially as and for the
purpose Bet forth.
6. The spring cushion E, in combination with the shouldered
stem A' o a of the hammer, substantially as and for the purposa
specified.
7. The loose fly wheel K, in combination with the segmental
pinion B of the clock work, and rack A* of the hammer, substan-
tially as and for the purpose specified.
4d
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[February 14, i8U.
The Telegrapher
Devoted to the Interests
OF THE
TELEGRAPHIC FRATERNITY.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1874.
THE TELEGRAPHER:
PUBLISHED EVERT SATURDAY at 38 VESEY ST.
TENTH VOLUME.
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION.
One Copy, One Year, ----- $3.00.
INVARIABLY IN ADVANCE.
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SPECIMEN COPIES FORWARDED FREE on APPLICATION.
Communications must be addressed to
J. N. ASHLEY, Publisher,
(P. O. Box 5503.) 38 VESEY ST. , New York.
HHHE TELEGRAPHER.
A JOURNAL OF ELECTRICAL PROGRESS,
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS
OP THE
Telegraphic Fraternity and the Advancement
of Electrical Science and the
Telegraphic Art.
Published Every Saturday ,
AT
No. 38 VESEY STREET, New York.
TENTH VOLUME.
The Tenth Volume of THE TELEGRAPHER will
commence with the number for SATURDAY, JANUARY 3d,
1874, and will olose with the year.
All the popular features of the paper will be continued; and it
will be improved from time to time, as opportunity shall offer.
THE TELEGRAPHER
has now, for nearly ten years, been maintained upon its merits,
and without patronage or support, other than that ( derived from
its legitimate business, for the past five years. (Previous to that
time it was partially maintained by the National Telegraphic
Union.)
' The TENTH VOLUME commences under favorable auspices,
and it may be said that it enjoys the entire confidence of the
TELEGRAPHIC FRATERNITY,
whose organ it is and will continue to be. It is a thoroughly
INDEPENDENT TELEGRAPHIC NEWSPAPER,
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PRACTICAL TELEGRAPHERS.
As heretofore, no labor, time or expense, warranted by the
patronage received, will be spared to improve its character, and
add to its interest, and to sustain its reputation as the only
first class
ELECTRICAL AND TELEGRAPHIC JOURNAL
UPON THE
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Remittances for subscriptions may be made by mail, by post-
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All communications relating to or intended for THE TELE-
GRAPHER muit be addressed to
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(P. 0. Box 550«,) NEW YORK.
Rumors of Future Telegraphic Combinations.—
How a Consolidated Opposition may
be Profitably Managed.
Although there is for the time apparent quiet and
stagnation in telegraphic matters, there is a rather in-
stinctive feeling that this condition of affairs is not to
continue for a very long time. Foreign capitalists are
said to be looking with considerable interest into the
telegraphic situation, and to be ready to invest their
surplus capital in acquiring an interest in and extend-
ing the telegraphic system of this country. It was
understood and reported at one time that it was in-
tended, and steps had been taken towards acquiring
a controlling interest in the "Western Union Com-
pany, but this, it was subsequently admitted, had been
abandoned, and it is since confidently believed in cer-
tain quarters that they are making arrangements, in
connection with the United States direct cable scheme,
to consolidate and extend the existing telegraph lines
outside of the Western Union combination, as has been
advocated and urged for years, as the only safe policy
for the opposition. "We are not prepared just yet to
state how far matters have been arranged, but we shall
be disappointed if something does not come out of this
more than mere talk and buncombe.
The extract from the JSTew York correspondence of
the Evening Traveller of Boston points to this new
combination to advance telegraphic competition, and
indicates that the scheme is beginning to be made pub-
lic. That there is an excellent field here for such an
enterprise there cau be no doubt, and the time is fully
ripe for it. The first step, of course, must be the con-
solidation under one management of the companies
and lines now competing with the Western Union, and
then the extension of the system, so as to enable it
to compete on something like equal terms for the tele-
graph business of the country. The amount of capital
that would be required to obtain a controlling interest
in the existing opposition companies, if judiciously in-
vested, would not be very large, comparatively speak-
ing, and with such pecuniary results as may be obtain-
ed by the extension of the system, and au energetic
and liberal, and at the same time economical manage-
ment, we know of none which would be more likely to
attract the attention of intelligent and enterprising
capitalists.
The prediction of Mr. Orton, in his report to the
stockholders of the Western Union Company, that at
an early day there would be practically no competition
with that company, is not likely to prove as correct as
it was gratifying to those of them who were inclined to
credit it. Competition there will be, unquestionably,
the only query being whether it shall be an active,
vigorous and aggressive one, with the means to meet
its competitor on at least equal terms, or a compara-
tively feeble and half exhausted affair, which shall just
manage to exist, as has been the case for much of the
time during the past few years. This question is, we
believe, to be practically decided very soon, and we
think, from what we can gather in regard to the situa-
tion, that it is likely to prove the former.
That it is now intended to lay the new cable which
is being manufactured in England we think there is
conclusive evidence. That it will, if laid and worked
direct, prove a formidable rival to the Anglo-American
Company, we do not believe, as the amount of business
which can be transmitted over so long a circuit, and
by a single cable, must be very limited. Still, if it is
laid, it will need a more complete telegraphic system
than there is at present to collect and distribute busi-
ness for it. JSTaturally the question arises, on the part
of those engaged in this enterprise, how such a system
may be provided, and there can be but one solution to
the problem, and that the one we have so often pointed
out.
We should prefer that the ownership and control of
the competing lines should remain in the hands of our
own people, but if it has been demonstrated that foreign
capital must be called upon to supplement that already
invested to complete the work, we must submit as
gracefully and cheerfully as possible to the inevitable.
The consolidation cff the existing companies and in-
terests into one organization, and the extension of the
system so as to make it really national in its character,
will afford an opportunity, which we hope will be im-
proved, to thoroughly revise the existing system of
management, and introduce an improved system,
which shall be more in accordance with common sense,
and benefit by the lessons which the past and present
experience of all telegraph companies and lines in' this
country teach. There should be a thorough and sys-
tematic organization of the whole machinery of the
consolidated company, such as is calculated to insure
efficiency, economy, and a proper administration of
every branch of the business. The electrical and en-
gineering portion of the business should be assigned
here, as it is in Europe, to persons who are properly
qualified to administer them intelligently aud properly.
The General and District Superintendents have all tbat
they can attend to properly in managing their operating
and business departments — and, even if qualified to
supervise or direct the electrical and scientific branch,
which they seldom are, have not the time to attend to
them properly.
There should be a chief electrician and engineer, who
ghould have charge of all matters which properly belong
to that department. He should be carefully selected,
and appointed only upon his ability and fitness for the
position, and should have an assistant in each division,
who should be accountable to him and report to him.
These should not be interfered with by or accountable to
the Superintendents, who properly are only the business
managers of the lines and offices, and who can always
find abundant and profitable employment in the dis-
charge of their legitimate duties. Being relieved from
other duties, these electricians and engineers would be
able to devote their time to devising and determining
upon the best and most advantageous methods of con-
struction and insulation of lines, the proper and most
efficient and economical arrangement of circuits and
batteries, decide upon any improvements which may be
made or proposed in telegraphic instruments and appa-
ratus — in short, perforin all the duties which in Europe
are considered as especially belonging to that position
which it is proposed to create, aud which has never
heretofore been fully established upon any American
line. This is a most important matter, and one which
should receive careful consideration if it is desired to
avoid the errors and profit by the experience o'f the
past.
To the District Superintendents should be given the
entire business management of their respective districts.
They should have the appointment of all managers of
offices, who should be directly responsible to them, and
they in their turn should be responsible to the Gene-
ral Superintendent, whose responsibility would be, of
course, to the Executive of the company. A simple and
easily comprehended system of business and accounts
should be established, doing away with as much of
the complicated machinery of the Western Union organ-
ization as possible. While it is desirable that a certain
amount of statistics in regard to the business shall be
obtained and preserved, there is danger that this may
be carried to excess, and that more time, labor and ex-
pense may be invested in this direction than is profit-
able. This should be carefully guarded against, and at
the same time care be taken that all the necessary sta-
tistical information is obtained and properly tabulated
for information and use.
With such an organization as we have hastily
sketched there cau be no doubt but that the new organ-
ization would prove practically and pecuniarily suc-
cessful. Much money is constantly squandered on the
telegraphs which could be saved with a little knowl-
edge and care — and by a judicious and liberal outlay in
directions where it is sadly needed, the chances and
percentage of profit would be largely increased.
If there is to be a new deal, and a reorganization of
the lines "outside of the Western Union combination,
we hope that it will be thorough and practical, and
that the errors and foljies which have in the past, time
and again* wrecked promising telegraphic enterprises,
may be avoided, and that, profiting by the lessons of
February 14, 18t4.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
41
experience, we may see for once telegraphic enter-
prises organized, managed and conducted on honest,
sensible and practical business principles. That an
enterprise so organized and conducted would prove
advantageous and remunerative to all concerned — the
investors as well as the public and the employes — there
can be no doubt. The time and opportunity for it has
come; now let us have it as speedily as possible.
Another Atlantic Cable Telegraph Company
Proposed.
By a despatch to the Associated Press from London,
which we print in another column, we learn that a
prospectus has been issued in that city for a new tele-
graph cable, to be laid from the English coa st to Hali-
fax, N. S., via the Azores Islands. The cable proposed
to be laid is a light one, and if it is to be provided and
put down for the amount of capital stated in the des-
patch, we should judge that it must be a very light
one indeed. This new company makes a bid for public
favor by stating its intention to transmit messages on
its cable for one shilling per word. While this would
undoubtedly, when laid and in operation, secure the
line an abundance of business, it will not be very likely
to induce very liberal subscriptions to its capital.
No names are mentioned in connection with this
new project, so that we are unable as yet to state tfy
whom it is engineered, or upon what ground it expects
to be able to do the business at 25 per cent, of the
amount now charged by the Anglo-American Company
for similar service. We shall have to wait the slower
communication of the mails to learn the particulars, of
this new enterprise, which seems to have been spruug
upon the public.
The Bailway News, of London, of the 24th uit., in an
article on the pecuniary condition of the company and
the quotations of Anglo-American shares, which, not-
withstanding the increased receipts of the company on
its business, which for 1873 were £64,000 in excess of
those of the previous year, had been depressed, says:
"The only cause operating to depreciate quotations
appears to be the circulation of rumors, to which we
alluded last week, as to the formation of competitive
schemes for laying light cables — a bugbear constantly
raised by speculators."
The Bailway News makes some statements in regard
to these proposed light or hemp cables, which do not
indicate much probability of any continued success,
even if the necessary capital could be obtained to
manufacture and lay them. Our contemporary, the
New York Commercial Advertiser, which is usually
conspicuously sound and sensible upon telegraph mat-
ters, leads off in a glorification of this new scheme, and
an anticipation of the advantages which are likely to
be derived from it, which we cannot but regard as
rather premature. We would commend to its editor,
and others of the fraternity who may think they per-
ceive in this enterprise the approach of the ocean tele-
graphic millennium, the following extract from the
article of the Railway News referred to above :
"As bearing upon this question of the proposed hemp
cables, it may be useful to inform those who consider
that there may be some probability of their being laid
and worked with success, to state that a cable of this
description was laid some time since between Cornwall
and the Scilly Islands, and its existence was limited to
a few short hours. On another occasion a similar cable
was laid between England and Ireland. Its span of
life, too, was short — not more, we believe, than three
days. Both of these cables have been replaced by
heavy ones, and they are now in as perfect a condition
as when they were first laid, and without having been
interrupted, or required the outlay upon them of a sin-
gle shilling. If tuere were really any merit in these
so-called light cables, it would have been to the interest
of the Telegraph Construction Company to have manu-
factured and laid them ; and if taken in haud by such a
company, the public would at least have the guarantee,
which cannot be provided elsewhere, that the work
would be efficiently done, and the cable manufactured
under the supervision of really practical men."
We believe there is no instance on record where light
ocean telegraph cables have remained in condition to
be worked for more than a few days at a time, while
the heavily armored cables have proved efficient, re-
liable and remunerative.
We shall await with some curiosity the further de-
velopments in regard to this latest proposed cable tele-
graph enterprise, and, until they are received, will not
express an opinion as to its' character or the purposes
for which it is initiated.
►-•-♦
The Recent Test of the Automatic Telegraph
System.
We published last week a brief statement of the test
of the demonstration made on Tuesday evening, Janu-
ary 27th, of the Automatic System of Telegraphy, on
the line of the Automatic Telegraph Company between
.New York and Washington. As a matter of record we
print this week the report of the General Manager of
the company to the Hon. George Harrington, its
President, giving the details of the demonstration in
full, with the certificates of a number of gentlemen pres-
ent at either end of the line, of the correctness of these
details.
The occasion of this demonstration was to show the
inaccuracy of the statements made by President Orton,
of the Western Union Telegraph Company, iu his letter
to the Postmaster-Geueral under date of Dec. 27, 187%
which were, that
First. The Automatic System is practically slower
than the Morse.
Second. It requires at least five times as many ope-
rators to do the same amount of work within a given
time. •
Third. That, consequently, it is more expensive.
Mr. Geo. B. Prescott, the electrician of the West-
ern V nion, Company, was present on behalf of that
company in the New York office, and Mr. Leonard
Whitney, Manager of the Western Union Company in
that city, in the Washington office.
The matter selected was the same as that previously
transmitted over eight Western Union wire.?, against a
single Automatic wire between the two cities.
The following are the documents referred to :
General Office of the Automatic Telegraph Co.,
66 Broadway, New York,
January 28tb, 1874.
Hon. George Harrington, President.
Sir — I respectfully submit the following report of
the work done in the demonstration made on Tuesday
evening, January 27th, as per your instructions of prior
date. The matter selected for the purpose was the
President's late message and the Spanish protocol :
Statement.
Matter transmitted, 1 1,130 words.
Length of Circuit, 281 miles.
Conductors used, 1 wire.
^°'-*" ™ | S^fc: : is
i mn» . . { "353? o^«v.v, .5
Total, 25 operatives.
P. M. -Mins.
Time. — < Perforating commenced, 5.39/ .-,
Washington. \ Perforating completed, 6.24| \ T
XT -v , S Copying commenced, . . 5.42 ? ~ e
SewYork. {copying completed,... 6.48 \ 66
Total time, 69 minutes.
Cost. — Morse operators, $100 per month.
" Automatic operators, 40 " "
- The characters were perfectly legible and well de-
fined, and were copied with great facility.
The average time during which the perforating ope-
ratives were actually at work was forty-five and a half
minutes — making an average per operative, per minute,
of twenty-five words.
The average time of copyists was fifty minutes, mak-
ing an average per copyist, per minute, of seventeen
words.
Unlike the Western Union Company, we had no
large corps of operators from which to select our work-
ing force, but were compelled to utilize all — good, bad
and indifferent, which makes it proper to call special
attention to the above averages made.
The whole time consumed was sixty-nine minutes, as
against the published record of seventy minutes by the
Western Union in their late effort.
The average time occupied by Automatic was fifty-
five and a half minutes.
The average time occupied by Western Union (as
reported) was fifty-nine minutes.
An unfortunate defect in the paper caused much de-
lay in the transmission, otherwise still less time would
have been consumed. No attempt, however, was made
to attain a nigh speed of transmission on this occasion,
as that point had already been yielded, and incontest-
ably proved in the presence of the Hon. Jno. A. Cres-
well, Postmaster General, and numerous other gentle-
men, including Senators and Representatives in Con-
gress, on the evening of December 11th, 1873, when we
transmitted some 12,000 words over our one wire from
Washington to New York iu twenty-two and a half
minutes.
Our operatives were congregated at Washington and
New York on Monday, January 26th, and were tested
for the first time on the evening of that day. I call
attention to this, in anticipation of the charge that the
time which has elapsed since the publishing of the mes-
sage, has been improved by our operatives in practising
upon it.
With the experience gained in this demonstration,!
am confident that in auother we could readily dispense
with at least two perforators and three copyists, and yet
perform a like amount of work.
Respectfully,
E. H. Johnson,
General Manager.
New York, January 28, 1874.
We were present in the office of the Automatic Tele-
graph Company last evening, whilst they were receiv-
ing the President's message and the Spanish protocol
from Washington.
At 5.39 P. M., Washington signaled that the perfora-
ting had commenced.
At 5.43 the first portion of the message was received
aud handed to the copyists.
At 6.42 the last portion was received.
At 6.48 the copying was finished ; the whole time
occupied being 69 minutes.
There were 13 copyists in the room ; but we noticed
that two or three were unemployed a portion of the
time, so that, had all been constantly employed, there
would have been several minutes saved in the aggre-
gate.
The writiug was perfectly legible, and the copyists
translated with great facility. (Signed),
Jas. G. Smith, A. G. Sujpt. A. & P. & F'lin Tel. Cos.
H. G. Pearson, Assistant Postmaster, N. Y.
Edward W. Serrell, C. E.
James H. Wilson (of Winslow & Wilson).
Hiram Barney.
Office Automatic Telegraph Co., )
Washington, D. C. $
E. H. Johnson, Esq., General Manager.
At the test which took place on Tuesday evening,
January, 27 th, the late annual message of the President,
together with the Spanish protocol, amounting in all to
eleven thousand one hundred and thirty (11,130) words,
was perforated by ten perforators, and transmitted auto-
matically, by one Morse operator in the following time :
Perforating commenced, 5.36 P. M.
" completed, 6.21% "
Time, 45% minutes.
Transmission commenced, 5.40.
" completed; 6.39.
Time, 59 minutes.
The above is New York time, as computed by Wash-
ington Observatory time.
Respectfully,
P. B. Delany, Manager.
Having witnessed this test throughout, we can certify
to the correctness of the above statement.
(Signed),
Robert D. Lines {of Post Office Department).
D. J. Gibson, U. S. A., Acting Signal Officer.
H. W. Howgate, U. S. A.
J. H. Lathrop.
Quick Cable Telegraphing.
The perfection to which the cable telegraph service
has been brought is showu by the following facts,
which can bo proved to be such :
In December last a message was sent from New York
to London, and in thirty minutes, actual time, the an-
swer was received in New York. On Thursda,y the
5th instant, another despatch was sent to London, to
which a reply was received in thirty-jive minutes, ac-
tual time. In neither of these cases was any especial
effort made to hurry the answers, but the party ad-
dressed sent the reply to the London office by the mes-
senger delivering the original message.
To fully appreciate the wonderful achievement we
must consider that the distance from Now York by the
land lines, from New York to the cable Btation at
Heart's Content, N. F., is about 1,300 miles, the length
of the cable about 2,000 miles, and the land lines
and cable from Yaleutia to London about 300
miles. Each message, therefore, was transmitted about
42
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[February 14, 18T4.
3,600 miles, aDd passed through the hands of eighteen
persons, all told; consequently, the message and reply,
in each case, passed through the hands of thirty-six
persons, and travelled over 7,000 miles in thirty to
thirty-five minutes. We do not think that this can
easily be beaten, and the progress made within the last
fifteen years,in the facilities for communication between
countries 60 widely separated, is truly marvellous.
An Excellent Appointment.
By the recent death of Mr. John Foley, Manager of
the Atlantic and Pacific, San Francisco, California,
office, a vacancy was created, which, we are much
pleased to learn, has been filled by the promotion of Mr.
L. N". Jacobs to the position. This is an excellent ap-
pointment, and one which we have no doubt will
prove advantageous to the telegraph company and the
public, as well as gratifying to the many friends of Mr.
Jacobs. This gentleman is no stranger to the readers
of The Telegrapher, who will be pleased to know
that his ability is being appreciated and rewarded.
Electric Watcli Clocks and Dials.
The Howard Watch and Clock Company, of Boston
and Jfew York, whose advertisement will be found
in our advertising columns, are doing an extensive
business in magneto-electrical telegraph instruments,
and in electro-magnetic watch clocks, chronographs,
astronomical clocks, etc.
Mr. James Hahblet, the electrician of the company,
is well known as an able and experienced scientific and
practical inventor, and gives his personal attention to
all the electrical work of the company. This company
have just finished and delivered to the United States
Observatory at "Washington eight astronomical clocks,
to be used by the scientific expeditions sent out by the
(Jnited States Government to observe the great astro-
nomical event, the coming transit of Venus.
In this city they have recently put up in the Hoff-
man House an electro-magnetic watch clock, with
twenty stations; also a similar clock in Mr. J. U.
Briggs & Co.'s extensive stables, with five stations.
They have also just finished putting iuto the new
depot of the Boston and Lowell Railroad a watch
clock with two stations, and a standard clock which
actuates seven electric dials in different parts of the
building.
•-•-«
The American Fire Alarm Telegraph.
Messrs. Gamewell & Co. have just completed the
fire alarm telegraph for Harrisburgh, Pa., and are now
engaged in putting up their system under contract with
the municipal authorities at Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Their system has distanced all competitors, and they
are now practically without opposition in the business
which has been created by their enterprise, liberality,
and fair dealing.
The Claims of the Page Patent.
At the request of a correspondent we reprint in
another column the claims of the original and reissued
patents of Prof. Page, which will be of interest at the
present time, when an attempt is being made to estab-
lish judicially the validity of the patent, which, as will
be seen, in effect covers almost every description of
electrical and telegrapnic apparatus.
lit* fttligrapft.
Progress of the Southern and Atlantic Tele-
graph Line.
The Southern and Atlantic Telegraph Company
have actively recommenced the extension and con-
struction of its lines. The section between Selma and
Mobile, Ala., upon which the poles have been set and
the insulators put on, is being wired, and will shortly
be completed and in operation to the latter important
point. It is understood that this company is meeting
with very encouraging success, and that the extension
of its lines south is watched with interest and cordially
welcomed by the people of that section, who have
hitherto been entirely dependent upon the Western
Union Company for telegraphic facilities.
By Cable.
A CABLE STEAMER ADRIFT.
London, Feb. 7. — The steamship Ambassador, laden
with a section of the Brazilian cable, broke from her
moorings at Woolwich yesterday, and was carried
some distance up the Thames before the crew suc-
ceeded in securely anchoring her. While the steamer
was adrift she fouled thirty-two colliers, sinking two
of them and damaging others. Several of the men on
the colliers were severely injured.
PROJECT FOR A NEW TELEGRAPH CABLE FROM EUROPE
TO AMERICA.
London, Feb. 9. — The organization of a new com-
pany to lay a light cable from the coast of Great
Britain to Halifax, via the Azores Islands, is an-
nounced.
The capital is $380,000, and the prospectus, which
was brought out on Saturday, says it is the intention
of the company to convey messages over its cable at
the rate of one shilliu g per word.
The American District Telegraph.
The rapidity with which the American District Tel-
egraph Company has increased in popular favor is cer-
tainly astonishing.
Scarcely two years ago the company started off with
every prospect of success, but laboring under the dis-
advantage of unprofitable rates, and the imperative
necessity of keeping a large force, the company for a
a time seemed to linger between life and death.
Through the influence, ability and indefatigable per-
severance of Mr. B. B. Grant, the present Vice-Presi-
dent, and the hearty cooperation and incessant labors
of the Superintendents the company has gradually
risen to its present sphere of usefulness. Its pros-
pects at the present time could hardly be more
favorable, and with a liberal policy the company will
meet with a success in the future hardly anticipated.
Satisfactory arrangements have been completed with
the City Fire Alarm Telegraph Department, that ena-
bles the company's subscribers' signals for fires to be
transmitted to the Department without repetition,
should the fire prove to be of such magnitude as not
to be conquered by the extinguisher carriages of the
company. Fortunately all fires thus far have been
subdued without the aid of the Department, although
several have necessitated the calling of help from the
adjacent districts.
The understanding with the Police Department is
also quite satisfactory, and arrangements will undoubt-
edly be consummated within a short time that will
largely increase the efficiency of both the city's and
the company's forces.
The patrol force of the company is to be extensively
increased. In the Fifteenth District, 397 Broadway,
over one huudred new subscribers were added last
Patrol boxes are being placed in position as fast as
possible, from which the night patrolmen will send
signals every hour. The patrol force in this district is
to be immediately increased by the addition of eight or
ten men. This same system is to be carried into every
district. To a certain number of districts will be as-
signed a roundsman. This officer, in connection with
the boxes and otber safeguards which will be brought
out in the establishment of this system, will insure a
perfect and reliable patrol force. The company have
in circuit 2,300 instruments, paying a monthly rental
of $2.50. The earnings of these instruments additional
to the rental is — Messenger Police and Fire Service,
average $250 per day, including Sundays. The re-
ceipts for service have reached as high as $500 in a
single day. The number of signals or " calls " average
about 1,100 per day. The expenses of the company are
necessarily large. To perform the service in a satisfac-
tory manner requires a regiment of uniformed and dis-
ciplined boys, an extensive police force, efficient appa-
ratus for extinguishing fires, a large construction and
maintenance force, etc. It should be understood, how-
ever, that the increase of subscribers does not increase
the operating expenses in the least, excepting in the
matter of messengers, the present force being suffi-
cient for treble the number of subscribers.
Foreign Telegraphic Notes.
The report of the directors of the Eastern Telegraph
Company states that they have at length concluded a
joint purse traffic arrangement with the Indo-European
Telegraph Company. The net revenue for the six
months ended the 30th of September, amounted to
£122,826, and an interim dividend of 1£ per cent, on
the 14th of October, and a further interim dividend of
li per cent, declared on the 7th inst., amounting, to-
gether with interest on new shares, to £99,932, leaves
a balance of £22,893 to be carried forward.
At an adjourned meeting of the shareholders of the
West India and Panama Telegraph Company, at the ,
offices in London, the following gentlemen were elected
directors in place of the old board, which had resigned:
Sir James Anderson, Messrs. H. Weaver, C. W. Earle,
W. Ford, Cyrus W. Field and H. Holmes. /The chair-
man stated to the meeting that he had received a letter
from the Telegraph Construction Company, which con-
veyed the intelligence that the cable at Porto Rico was
about being buoyed.
»*-«
The Telegraph in China.
The Great Northern Telegraphic Company has re-
cently established a line between Woosing and Shang-
hai. Twenty words are sent for a dollar. This is the
first successful attempt to introduce the telegraph
through the main portion of the empire, as previous
efforts have been met with violent opposition from the
people, who cut the wires and destroyed the poles.
Telegraphic and Electrical Brevities.
The Government of the United States has given per-
mission to the Mexican Government to extend its tele-
graph lines across the Rio Grande to Brownsville, Tex.,
and to establish an office there. When this is accom-
plished there will be direct telegraphic communication
established between all points in the United States
and the City of Mexico.
The annual meeting of the Dominion Telegraph
Company of Canada was held at Toronto on Wednes-
day last, the 11th inst.
What all telegraphers should do — subscribe for and
read The Telegrapher.
Married.
Meter — Pfeiffer. — At the residence of the bride's parents,
February 1st, 1874, by the Rev. Father Bosco, A. Leonard Meyer,
agent and operator of the Southern Pacific R. R. at Santa Clara,
Cal., to Miss Lizzie Pfeiffer, of that place.
W 1
ILLIAM BROWNLEE,
Dealer in
CEDAR TELEGRAPH POLES,
DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
\ NEW GALVANIC BATTERY.
Durability, Efficiency, and Economy of Expense
and Labor at last Secured.
THE EAGLES METALLIC BATTEKY.
PATENT APPLIED FOR.
The undersigned having secured the exclusive Agency for the
manufacture and sale of the
EAGLES METALLIC BATTERY,
now offer them to the public as the best Battery for Telegraphlo
and other purposes yet devised.
The Battery cell is made of lead, and forms one pole of the
battery. Sulphate of copper is the only chemical required to be
used.
These Batteries have been fully tested during the last year,
although only recently offered for sale, and have proved to be
superior to any other as regards efficiency, economy and dura-
bility. When once set up they require no attention for from
four to six months, according to the service required of them.
Two sizes are made at present, but others will soon be ready.
No. 1 is a large square cell, and can be used as a local or for
running motors. Price, $2.25.
On Locals, one No. 1 cell is used in place of two Danielle, at a
saving of nearly one half in cost.
No. 2 is.a round cell, designed for main line. Price, $2.
Descriptive circulars and price list forwarded upon applica-
tion to
F. L. POPE & CO.,
(P. O. Box 6603.)
38 TE8EY STREET, Jf. T.
February 14, 1874.]
THE TELEGRAPHER
111
Anson Stager, Elisha Gray,
Pres't. Sup't.
Enos M. Barton,
Sec'y.
w
ESTERN ELECTRIC MANUFACTUR-
ING COMPANY.
No. 220 KINZIE STREET, CHICAGO.
TELEGRAPH, WIRES, INSTRUMENTS,
BATTERIES, TOOLS,
INSULATORS and SUPPLIES.
ANIC PRICES.
Annunciators for Hotels, Steamships, Dwellings.
Our Annunciators are the most extensively used and the most
perfect In operation.
Automatic Mercury Fire Alarm, for Hotels, Steam-
ships, Public Buildings.
Five years' operation have proved its merits.
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
HAMBLET'S ELEOTRO-MAGNETIO WATCH CLOCKS AND
TIME DIALS,
Western Electric M'f'g Co., Chicago.
TELEGRAPH WIRE, Numbers 8, 9 and 12.
UNION BRAND, AND
UNION BRAND EXTRA QUALITY.
JOHNSON'S WIRE.
BROOKS' INSULATORS, GLASS INSULA-
TORS and BRACKETS.
KENOSHA INSULATORS, all kinds.
PAINTED CROSS-ARMS.
KENOSHA CROSS-ARMS.
OFFICE WIRE, many varieties.
COPPER & COMPOUND KERITE WIRE.
CABLES TO ORDER.
Western Electric M'f'g Co., Chicago.
OUR PROFITS HAVING BEEN AMPLE,
WE OFFER OUR CUSTOMERS THE
BENEFITS OF THE RECENT
REDUCTION
IN THE COST OF LABOR AND MATERIAL.
w.
HOCHHAUSEN,
Manufacturer of
ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS,
132 WILLIAM STREET (rear),
Between Fulton and John Streets, NEW YORK.
ALL WHO NEED
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS and SUPPLIES,
Large or Small Quantities,
WILL CONSULT THEIR OWN INTERESTS BY PURCHASING
FROM US.
SEND FOR OUR NEW PRICE LIST.
A Special Discount given on Cash Purchases.
* GEO. H BLISS & CO.,
41 THIRD A VENUE,
Chicago, 111.
G
EO. H. BLISS & CO.,
41 TSJJRT) A.VENVE,
Chicago, III.
L
ECLANCHE BATTERIES.
CAUTION.
All persona are hereby notified that Batteries infringing upon
our patents are in the market (some of them nearly worthless).
The public are warned against using auy such infringements, as
in every case the guilty parties will be prosecuted to the fullest
extent of the law. The genuine Batteries have the words "Pile
Leclancho " on the carbons and glasses. Any information con-
cerning such infringements will be thankfully received by the
Leclanche Battery Co.,
JVo. £.0 West /St A Street.
Nevj York, October 11, 1873.
TELEGRAPH POLES.
Parties who are in want of good
CEDAR TELEGRAPH POLES,
can obtain them on favorable terms, and have them delivered
at any Lake Port between OBwego and Chicago, on the
opening cf Navigation, by applying to
P. O. Box 1,376.
A. A. COLBY,
TORONTO, ONTARIO,
TELEGRAPHIC, ELECTRICAL AND MEDICAL APPARATUS.
Agents for KIDDER'S MEDICAL APPARATUS.
" " AMERICAN COMPOUND WIRE.
" JONES' LOCK SWITCH BOARD.
" ROBERTSON'S BATTERY INSULATOR.
" HILL'S GRAVITY BATTERY.
" ■ " HILL'S HOTEL ANNUNCIATOR and FIRE ALARM.
" " MCPHERSON'S IRON BATTERY.
" THE AMATEUR TELEGRAPH APPARATUS.
" PUTT'S MECHANICAL INSTRUMENTS.
" KENOSHA INSULATOR.
" BROOKS'
" UNITED STATES ELECTRIC GAS LIGHTING COM-
PANY.
" POPE'S RAILWAY SIGNALS.
." " EAGLES METALLIC (RESERVOIR) BATTERY.
" SELDEN'S PRINTERS.
" ANDERS' MAGNETIC DIAL AND PRINTER.
IMPROVED AMATEUR SOUNDERS.
AN EXTRA FINISHED AND GOOD WORKING SOUNDER,
No. 3 $4 00
A WELL FINISHED AND GOOD WORKING SOUNDER,
No. i 3 00
A WELL FINISHED AND GOOD WORKING KEY, No. 4. 4 00
Instruments, Line Material, Office Wire, Mar/net Wire, Tools,
Battery Material, Chemicals, Books, Stationer;/,
c nslanl.li/ on hand.
«®- Special attention given to REPAIRS and MODEL WORK.
One half of actual size
ELECTRIC BELL,
PATENT SELF-CLOSING KEY,
(Patented October 27, 1873.)
Price. $5 50
The lever of this Key swings in two directions, vertical and
horizontal. A spring presses it against an adjustable contact
point on right hand side.
In sending with this key take hold of the knob and move to the
left, this opens the circuit, then operate in the ordinary way. As
soon as released the lever swings back against side contact point,
closing the circuit.
The Platina Points are large and hard.
Self-Starting Register, of new design, protected by a Glass
Shade, complete, with Paper Reel and Weight. . $50 00
Sounders, from , 4 50 to $6 50
Electric Bells, single stroke or continuous ringing,
trom 5 00 to 8 00
Relays, from 9 50 to 16 00
Improved Switch Keys, from 3 00 to 5 60
Send for Illustrated Circulars.
The above may alsobe had of F. L. POPE h CO., 38 Vesey street.
New York, at Manufacturer's prices.
TEROME REDDING & CO.,
30 HANOVER STREET, BOSTON,
MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS IN
Electrical aid Teliranl Instruments.
A FULL ASSORTMENT OF TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
CONSTANTLY ON HAND.
Telegraph, Magnet, Office, and other Insulated Wires,
INSULATORS, BRACKETS.
PATENT ELECTRIC WATCH-CLOCK
THE BEST IN USE.
ELECTRIC BELLS AND ANNUNCIATORS,
At prices which defy competition.
Batteries of Every Description,
At unusually low prices.
Battery Carbons all sizes, with Improved Connection
Medical Batteries from $4 Upwards.
ALL GOODS rrAli'RAJVIJZ?) FIRS* CLASS.
AND PRICKS EXTREMELY TOW.
SEND FOR PRICE LIST,
IV
\ MERICAN FIRE ALARM AND
POLICE TELEGRAPH.
GAME WELL & CO.. Proprietors,
68 BROADWAY, NEW YORK.
J. W. STOYEE,
General Agent aud Superintendent.
I,, B. FIRMAN, Chicago, III.,
General Agent for the West and North- West.
J. It. DOWELL, Richmond, Va.,
Special Agent for Virginia and North Carolina,
A. BRENBTER, Augusta, Ga„
Special Agent for Georgia and South Carolina,
L. M. MONbOE, New Canaan, Conn.,
Special Agent for New England,
EXjKOTJtUO.fl.il CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE 00.,
San Francisco, Gal.,
Special Agents for California, Oregon and Nevada,
THIS SYSTEM OF
FIRE ALARM & POLICE TELEGRAPH
WITH A CENTRAL OFFICE,
OB *
UFON THE AUTOMATIC PLAN,
Is now In operation in the following Cities, to which reference is
made for evidence of its great
.SUPERIORITY, VALUE
AND
UNIFORM RELIABILITY.
' aioany, N. Y.,
Alleghany, Pa.,
Boston, Mass.,
Bridgeport, Conn.
Buffalo, N. Y.,
Baltimore, Md.,
Chicago, 111. ,
Cincinnati, Ohio,
Columbus, Ohio,
Cambridge, Mass.,
Charlestown, Mass.
Covington, Ky.,
Detroit, Mich.,
Dayton, Ohio,
Elizabeth, N. J.,
Fall River, Mass.
Fitchburg, Mass.,
Hartford, Ooun.,
Indianapolis, Ind.
Jersey City, N. J.,
Louisville, Ky.,
Lowell, Mass.,
Lawrence, Mass.,
Lynn, Mass.,
Mobile, Ala.,
Montreal, Canada,
Milwaukee, Wis.,
New York City,
New Orleans, La.,
New Bedford, Mass.,
New Haven, Conn.,
Newark, N. J.,
, Omaha, Neb.,
Philadelphia, Pa.,
Pittsburg, Pa.,
Portland, Maine,
Peoria, 111.,
Providence, R. I.,
Quebec, L. C,
Rochester, N. Y.,
Richmond, Va.,
St. Louis, Mo.
St. John, N. B.,
Springfield, Mass.,
San Francisco, Cal.,
Savannah, Ga. ,
Syracuse, N. Y.,
Troy, N. Y.,
Taunton, Mass.,
Toledo, Ohio,
Toronto, Canada,
Washington, D. C„
Worcester, Mass.
Ine Distinctive Features of these Systems of
Fire Alarm and Police telegraphs
ABB,
)nr»t — Tne Automatic Repeater, through which the
Apparatus may be distributed in a combination of circuits, and
the entire system successfully worked, without the constan t per-
sonal attention of either operators or watchmen.
Second— Tlie Automatic Signal Boxes.
Third— The Electro-Mechanical Bell Strikers,
adapted to produce the full tone of the largest church or tower
bells.
Fourth— The Electro-Mechanical Gong Striker,
for hose and engine houses, by means of which the location of
the Are is instantaneously communicated to the members of
each fire company.
These Features combined form the
Only PtRiECT, COMPLETE and RELIABLE System
OP
FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH
IN THE WORLD.
It is a sufficient vindication of the claims which are made by
the Proprietors of these systems of
THE TELEGRAPHER.
FIRE ALARM
AND
POLICE TELEGRAPHS,
that they have sustained the test of more than twenty years of
practical use, and that the efforts which have been repeatedly
made to supplant them by other inventions have
COMPLETELY FAILED;
the few instances in which municipalities have been induced to
adopt other systems having demonstrated their insufficiency
and unreliability, and resulted in their abandonment, and sub-
stitution therefor of the
AMERICAN FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH.
Messrs. GAMEWELL Si CO. are the owners of the
original FARMER & CHANNIN0 PATENTS, one of the most
important of which has j ust been extended for seven years, and
during the past seventeen years have spared no expense or effort
to secure improvements, and the Systems are now covevad by
[February 14, 1
8T4.
MORE THAN TWENTY PATENTS.
The most important improvement which the Proprietoi s have
adopted and introduced is the
AUTOMATIC SYSTEM,
the introduction and operation of which involves so litl'a ex-
pense, compared to the benefit which it confers, that even mall
communities can profitably adopt and maintain, it.
The American System of
FIKE ALAEM AtfD POLICE TELEGEAPHS
has met with the universal approbation and commendation of
the
People, Municipal Authorities,
AND THE
PRESS
throughout the UNITED STATES and CANADA.
NO EFFORT, TROUBLE OR EXPENSE
is spared by the Proprietors to obtain and secure ANY POS-
SIBLE IMPROVEMENT which shall increase the
EFFICIENCY,
RELIABILITY and
ECONOMY
of the system. They intend that, as far as possible, it shall be
ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!
The amount of property which has been saved from destruc-
tion, and the number of lives which have been proseived
through the general adoption of this system, throughout the
UNITED STATES and the DOMINION of CANADA,
CANNOT EASILY BE ESTIMATED,
but that, in every community where it has been introduced for
any considerable length of time, they have been enormous, thbee
CAN BE NO QUESTION.
The cooperation of TELEfiRAPHEttS in' securing its in-
troduction into their locaUHes is cordially invited, and
their efforts will be duly appreciated and
compensated.
Any information desired in regard to the above
system will be cheerfully and promptly furnished
upon application at the office.
A pamphlet, setting forth more fully its advantages and
superiority, has been printed, and will be supplied to Municipal
Authorities and others interested in Fire Alarm and Police Tele-
graphy, upon application as above.
piHARLES T. CHESTER,
1 04 Centre Street,
NEW YORK,
TELEGRAPH ENGINEER;
AND MANUFACTURER OF
INSTRUMENTS,
BATTERIES,
AND EVEBY DESOBIPTION OF
TELEGRAPH SUPPLIES.
BUNNELL'S PATENT REPEATER.
These instruments are now made in two different styles, at
$120 and $135 a set, consisting of two Relays, two Sounders, two
Keys and Governor.
JONES' LOCK SWITCH-BOARD, *
a most compact and reliable Switch, forming a clean spring-
locked connection between any number of wires, occupying for
each different connection only one square inch of space, and
though made of the largest size, not subject to the warp and
contraction of wood- work.
EXCLUSIVE AGENTS OF
A. G. DAY'S
KERITE,
OR
COMPOUND RUBBER COVERED WIRE
SUBTERRANEAN & MMAL WIRES,
OF THE
HIGHEST INSULATION.
Weareuow prepared to furnish, after an experience ofthrea
years, an Insulated Wire which can be buried in the earth or
exposed to rain and sun, or to the vapor of adds, without injury.
Professor Silliman, who has exposed it to the most destructive
agencies, finds that it remains uninjured in an atmosphere o f
ozone, which would destroy gutta-percha in a few hours. It
exceeds, glass or any other known substance as a non-conductor
We have made special arrangements to furnish this artiole
for office purposes ata reduced rate.
ALSO, TO FURNISH
IRON CLAD CABLES,
of the usual size, with KERITE COVER, believing that it will
exceed, in insulation for submarine purposes, ANYTHING
HITHERTO MANUFACTURED.
We shall be happy to furnish estimates for any amount and
size of cable, which will be found to compete with any other
construction, both in quality and price.
We manufacture the Genuine ELECTROPOION BATTERY,
with Patent Platina Connection, introduced by us eight years
since; also, THE ALPHABETICAL OR DIAL TELEGRAPH,
now extensively used in this and other cities for private lines,
being easily and quickly learned by any one.
We offer for sale, among other novelties., a SOUNDER that
will w >rk practically with a single Daniell cell, a BATTERY
that does notrequire to be taken down but once a year, and the
very beat MAIN LINE SOUNDERS made
Our CATALOGUE, embracing a large amount of new matter
and description, is now ready for distribution.
Fe bruary 14, 1814.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
TYROOKS' patent telegraph
INSULATOR WORKS,
AND AGENCY FOR THE SALE OP
Siemens' Universal Galvanometer,
Resistance Coils, Submarine Cables,
AND EVERY VARIETY OF
Electro-Metrical Apparatus Manufactured by Siemens Bros.
DAVID BROOKS, Proprietor,
22 South Twenty-first Street, PHILADELPHIA.
THE PATENT INSULATOR.
This invention was first introduced into public use in 1867,
and now hundreds, without exception, attest its perfection as an
Insulator ; also its economy over all others when maintenance is
included with first cost.
Siemens' Universal Galvanometer.
This instrument for the measurement of ordinary resistances,
such as relays, sounders, conductivity of line wires, insulation,
&c, stands unrivalled for simplicity and correctness, and is now
the standard instrument for such work in all countries.
Siemens' Submarine Gables, Cables for Eiver Cross-
ings of every description,
AND
Insulated Conductors.
These Cables are unexcelled in construction, and can be pro-
cured in less time and at about half the cost of those manufac-
tured in this country.
A
SUPERIOR PRINTING TELEGRAPH
INSTRUMENT,
FOE PRIVATE AND SHORT LINES.
Awarded the First Premium—Silver Medal — over all others at
Cincinnati Industrial Exposition, 1872.
The undersigned is now prepared to supply the improved and
superior
PRINTING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
manufactured under the patent of Mr. J. E. SELDEN. This
instrument has already been extensively introduced, and has
given complete satisfaction to all who have adopted and used it.
It is simple, keliable, and not liable to get out of order; can be
operated by any person of ordinary intelligence after a few
minutes' instruction and practice.
PRIYATE LINES
constructed in the best and most substantial manner, and on
reasonable terms.
Favorable arrangements will be made with line constructors,
telegraph employes, &c, for the introduction of the Printer.
For further particulars, terms, &c, apply to
.MERCHANTS' MANUFACTURING AND
CONSTRUCTION CO.
S. J. BURRELL, Superintendent,
No. 50 BROAD STREET (Rooms 12, 13 & 14).
P. O. BOX 496.
A ]
MERICAN COMPOUND
TELEGRAPH LINE WIRE.
COPPER FOR CONDUCTIVITY.
STEEL FOR STRENGTH.
The superiority of the COMPOUND TELEGRAPH WIRE,
oompared with iron, consists in its lightness, reducing by over
fifty per cent, the number of poles and insulators required.
Relative tenstle strength, homogeneity and elasticity — de-
creasing the liability to breakage from cold weather, sleet, etc.
Conductivity— insuring groat improvement in the working of
lines In any condition of the weather.
And in its durability, which greatly exceeds that of the best
galvanized iron wire.
Altogether resulting in a very great reduction in the cost of
maintaining and working telegraph lines, while, at the same
time. Insuring
EFFICIENCY AND RELIABILITY.
Address — *
American Compound Telegraph Wire Co.,
ALANSON OAEY, Treasurer,
No. 234 West 29th St..
New YorU.
MAGNETO-ELECTRIC ALPHABETICAL
DIAL TELEGRAPH,
FOR
RAILROADS, GAS COMPANIES AND PRIVATE BUSI-
NESS PURPOSES GENERALLY.
MANUFACTURED BY
HOWARD WATCH AND CLOCK CO.
E. HOWARD, & CO., Proprietors.
J. HAMBLET, Electrician.
OFFICES:
114 TREMONT STREET, BOSTON, Mass.
15 MAIDEN LANE, NEW YORK.
This Instrument is offered to the public as the oldest, most
rapid, and best.
MAGNETO-DIAL TELEGRAPH
in the world.
It has already been extensively adopted and has invariably
given entire satisfaction.
They also manufacture and put up
THE ELECTRO-MAGNETIC "WATCH CLOCK,
which is the best watchman's time recorder in the world. Also,
ELECTRIC AND CONTROLLED CLOCKS
of all kinds,
CHRONOGRAPHS,
ASTRONOMICAL CLOCKS,
REGULATORS,
ETC., ETC.,
OF ALL KINDS.
All instruments and work from this establishment guaranteed
to give satisfaction.
R
EDUCTION OP PRICES.
FL. POPE & CO.,
• MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS IN
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS AND SUPPLIES
OF
EVERY DESCRIPTION,
38 VESEY STREET, New York.
NEW AND SUPERIOR PATTERNS OF
STANDARD TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS.
These Instruments are elegantly designed, thoroughly well
finished, and scientifically adapted to the service required.
RELAYS,
SOUNDERS,
REGISTERS and
KEYS.
In addition to these we furnish all descriptions of tele-
graph MATERIAL AND SUPPLIES, SUCh as
BATTERIES, INSULATED WIRES, CHEMICALS
of all kinds, etc., etc.
THE NONPAREIL TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT,
For Amateurs and Learners, and Short Lines.
GLOBE LIGHTNINO- ARRESTERS.
Bradley's Apparatus for Electrical Measurement.
We are the Agents for the sale of this new and very superior
Instrument for Electrical Measurement.
BRADLEY'S BOX RELAYS AND SOUNDERS.
BRADLEY'S NAKED WIRE HELICES AND MAGNET
SPOOLS,
of any desired size and resistance, will be supplied upon orders
through us, at the Manufacturer's lowest prices.
Also, Agents for
H0CHHAU3EN'S SUPERIOR LOW PRICED TELEGRAPH
INSTRUMENTS.
Sole Agents for the
EAGLES METALLIC GALVANIC BATTERY.
The demand for this Battery is rapidly increasing, and it is
conceded by all who have used it to bo the Best and mo>t Econo-
mical Battery, for telegraphic and other purposos, offered to the
public.
Descriptive Circulars and Price List forwarded upon applica-
tion to
F. L. POPE & CO.,
POPULAR, EXCELLENT and ECONOMICAL
THE NONPAREIL
TELEGRAPH APPARATUS,
For AMATEURS, STUDENTS and SHORT LINES.
Since the introduction of this Pioneer Low Priced Telegraph In-
strument, a little over a year and a half since, nearly 2,O0O
have been sold, and they are constantly more and more sought
after.
Hereafter we shall furnish them at the following popular rates :
Single Instruments, including Three Cells Battery, Con-
necting Wire, Chemicals and Instruction Book $6 50
Two sets of Instruments, etc 12 00
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
F. E. POPE & CO.,
[P. O. Box 5503.] 38 Yesey Street, N. Y.
ARTRIOK, BUNNELL & CO.,
38 SOVTBC 4th ST., PBILA-
MANTJFACTURERS OP
UNRIVALLED MORSE INSTRUMENTS,
CHAMPION LEARNERS' APPARATUS,
with Complete Instructions, Battery, Wire, etc.,
G-I^nSTT SOUNDBPIS,
IrrvpTOved. CuurTrecL HZeys,
Batteries and Supplies of every Description.
Send for Circulars and Catalogue.
R. L. BRADLEY,
No. 9 Exchange Place,
JERSEY CITY, N. J.,
Has discontinued the manufacture of Telegraph Instruments, and
is now giving special attention to the manufacture of his
UNIVERSAL APPARATUS
LECTRJC
lASUREMEfiT,
Which consists of his Tangent Galvanometer and his Rheostat as
they have been recently improved, which, taken separately or
unitedly, constitute a means for correctly determining the resist-
ance of all conductors of electricity; the resistance and insulation
of telegraph wires; the location of breaks, faults, crosses, &c. ; the
relative specific resistance and conductivity of metals and other
conducting materials; the resistance and electro-motive force of
batteries; as well as the strength, quantity, or electro-chemical
equivalence of all currents of dinamic electricity. The capacities
of all other instruments for similar purposes combined, are em-
braced in this one. Its measurements are accurate and absolute,
and are easily read off in British Association units, without the
necessity of arithmetical calculations. It packs in a caso seven
inches deep and nine inches diameter, with a handled strap, con-
venient for safe transportation. Considering the wide range of its
capacity, it is cheaper than any other instruments.
Price of apparatus complete, is $200 to $230, according to style,
&c. Price, Tangent Galvanometers, $40 to $60,
Descriptive pamphlets may he had on application.
(P. O. Box 5503.)
38 VESEY STREET.
Ho also pays special attention to the manufacture of his
CELEBRATED HELICES
WHICH ARE OF
Naked Copper Wire,
So wound that tho convolutions are separated from each other by
a regular and uniform space of the l-80()th of an inch, the layers
separated by thin paper. In Helices of silk insulated wiro, the
space occupied by tho silk is the 1 150th to tho l-3IIOth of an inch;
therefore a spool made of a given length and size of naked wiro
will he smaller and will contain many more convolutions around
tho coro than one of silk insulated wire, and will make a propor-
tionally stronger magnet, while the resistance will bo tho same.
These Helices are now offered for tho use of manufacturers of
Telegraphic and Electrical apparatus, and orders will bo filled
promptly and on reasonable terms.
VI
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[February 14, 1814.
>HE PERFECT BATTERY.
CLEANLINESS. CONSTANCY. ECONOMT.
LOCKWOOD BATTEET,
PATENTED APRIL 8, 1873,
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO., Sole Agents,
No. 8 Det Street, N. T.
This Battery has been in extended practical use for more than
a year, and is now acknowledged by leading Electricians
in this country and Europe to be
FAK SUPERIOR TO ALL OTHERS
for telegraphic purposes, or closed circuits of any description.
This Battery received the FIRST PREMIUM over
all competitors for
POWER, DURABILITY AND ECONOMY
AT THE
CINCINNATI INDUSTRIAL EXPOSITION OF 1873.
The size shown in the cut (No. 2), when charged with 5 lbs.
sulphate of copper per cell, is capable of working two or three
main circuits of average length for MORE THAN ONE YEAR,
Without any attention whatever. The copper and zinc solu-
tions are perfectly separated, and there is
NO LOCAL ACTION,*
and the circuit is absolutely uniform at all times. It is
equally well adapted for a
LOCAL BATTERY,
or for any purpose requiring a uniform, powerful and constant
current.
The number 2 size (price $2.50) is now ready for sale. Other
styles are in preparation, and will soon be put on the market.
Send for Circular,
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.
8 Dey Street, New York,
S O I_i E AGENTS.
New Yoek, Oct., 1873.
We have appointed Messrs. L. G. Tillotson & Co. Sole Agents
for the sale of the Lockwood Battery.
LOCKWOOD BATTERY CO.
W. H. Sawyeb, Secretary.
RTON'S PATENT PENCIL HOLDER.
"SAVE THE PIECES."
This HOLDER is intended to save the last half or third of the
pencil.
DIRECTIONS.
When the pencil becomes too short to write with comfortably,
shave down the butt and screw into the Holder. The screw
makes its own thread, and will hold the pencil perfectly firm.
Price, 25 cents each.
Sent by mail on receipt of price.
Price per doz., $1.80.
Agents for towns, and counties wanted.
GEO. H. BLISS & CO., Gen'l Agents,
41 Third ave., Chicago, HI.
TTTATTS & COMPANY,
47 Holliday Street,
BALTIMORE,
MANTJFACTTJREKS OF
ELECTRICAL AND TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
AND
Material of Every Description,
RELAYS, KEYS, SOUNDERS, COMBINATION SETS, &c, k
Nickel Plated Goods a Specialty.
A. VERY SUPERIOR MAIN ZINE SOUNDER,
ENTIRELY NEW.
SOLE MANUFACTURERS OF THE
PATENT CIRCUIT-CLOSER KEY,
Which has met with marked success.
Price, $5.50 plain ; $7 nickel plated.
The following is from a competent judge, written after some
weeks' trial.
145 Broadway, New York, )
Sept. 22d, 1873. J
Dear Sir— Your circuit-closing attachment on the key, left
with me for trial, is pronounced by all who have used it a de-
cided and much needed improvement on the common form.
Respectfully,
A. S. Brown, Manager
The Best Form of Battery Insulator Offered.
SIMPLE AND PERFECT.
Made of porcelain, handsome in appearance Occcupies little
more space than the cell it supports. Each cell of battery com-
pletely isolated. Leakage is reduced to the minimum by the
use of it.
General Superintendent Van Horn, Southern Division W. U.
Tel. Co., writes of it :
" We have now in use a thousand or fifteen hundred of your
battery insulators, and expect to order many more before the
close of the year.
We have never used any battery insulator that equals it in
any respect. In fact, it appears to be as near perfect as we can
reasonably expect, in a contrivance for that purpose."
Price 40 Cents.
We offer a very excellent article of Galvanized Wire, superior
to any in the market. The linemen on Baltimore and Ohio R.
R. say they have never seen its equal for toughness and
flexibility.
Special attention given to building.
Estimates given for any amount of material for telegraph
construction or extension.
SWITCHES, GALVANOMETERS, RESISTANCE COILS,
&c, to order.
Designs for Switch Boards for special service furnished.
SCOTT'S PATENT ANNUNCIATOR,
for Hotels and Residences.
nnHE BEST TELEGRAPH MATERIAL
■f IN THE WORLD
IS SUPPLIED BY
L. G. TILLOTSOK & CO.,
8 Dey Street, Netv York,
MANUFACTURERS, DEALERS and IMPORTERS
OP
TELEGRAPH MACHINERY, SUPPLIES
AND
Line Equipment of every Description
MATERIAL AND INSTRUMENTS
always on hand, for the equipment of lines of any length, at a
moment's notice.
We furnish first class goods at low prices. Liberal arrange-
ments made with Superintendents, Contractors and Builders
of Telegraph Lines.
Registers $38 00 to $45 00
Spring Registers 47 50
Belays 14 00 to 18 00
Sounders 3 50 to 7 50
Keys 4 00to 6 50
Main Line Sounders 14 00 to 18 00
Combination Sets , -. 20 00 to 30 00
Galvanometers, $7 00 upward.
RATTLER TELEGRAPH SOUNDER, $3.50.
POCKET INSTRUMENTS, Nickel Plated, in Hard Rubber
Cases, I]x2x5 inches.
CUT-OUTS, Plug, Peg or Button, with or without Lightning
Arresters, for one, two or more Lines.
JONES' PATENT LOCK SWITCHES, the best and cheapest in
use, with or without Lightning Arresters.
PEG or PIN, CULGAN, REPEATING, GROUND, LOCAL,
BATTERY and SINGLE BUTTON SWITCHES.
LIGHTNING ARRESTERS for any number of wires, of most
approved patterns.
ELECTRO-MAGNETS,
PERMANENT MAGNETS,
APPARATUS for STUDENTS and
AMATEUR TELEGRAPHERS
ELECTRIC MOTORS,
PRINTING and DIAL
INSTRUMENTS,
ELECTRICAL ANNUNCIATORS,
FIRE and BURGLAR ALARMS,
ELECTRO-MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS.
RHUMKORFF COILS, from )i to 10 inch spark.
GEISSLER'S TUBES, from $1.00 upwards
ELECTRICAL CALL AND ALARM BELLS in great variety,
from $6.50 upward.
INSTRUMENTS furnished Nickel Plated at 20 per cent, ad-
vance on List Price.
OFFICE WIRES, from 80c. to $1.25 per pound.
GUTTA-PERCHA COVERED WIRES, all sizes.
BISHOP'S NEW COMPOUND COVERED WIRE, for running
into offices, 4c. per foot.
MAGNET WIRES, in Silk and Cotton, at Factory prices.
INSULATED WIRES for special purposes made to order.
SILK COVERED SWITCH CORD, one, two or more conductors.
PATENT MESSAGE HOOKS, the best ever introduced, prices
65c. and 75c. per dozen.
MANIFOLD PAPER and AGATE STYLUS at bottom prices.
CABLES AND SUBMARINE WIRES.
REPAIRERS' TOOLS AND TOOL BAGS.
GLASS AND RUBBER WINDOW TUBES.
KENOSHA AND OTHER INSULATORS
OF EVERY DESCRIPTION.
BRACKETS. PINS AND SPIKES.
HILL, CALLAUD, GROVE, BUNSEN, CARBON, DANIELLS,
LECLANCHF., NITRO-CHROMIC AND OTHER
STYLES OF BATTERY IN ANY
QUANTITIES.
PURE CHEMICALS AT LOWEST PRICES.
SULPHATE OF COPPER A SPECIALTY, AND PRICES VERY
LOW.
CARBON PLATES made to order for Grenil, Smee, Stohrer and
other Batteries.
OFFICE FIXTURES AND BATTERY UTENSILS OF EVERY
DESCRIPTION.
"Smith's Manual of Telegraphy," - - - - 30 cents.
ALL STANDARD WORKS on ELECTRICITY & TELEGRAPHY.
SOLE AGENTS FOR
RICHARD JOHNSON & NEPHEW'S celebrated LINE WIRE.
Catalogue and Price List furnished upon application.
L. G, TILLOTSON & CO.,
8 DEY STREET, NEW YORK.
Vol. X.
New York, Saturday, February 21, 187 If.
Whole No. 397
i^HARLES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
109 COURT STREET, BOSTON, MASS.,
MANUFACTURER OF
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
OF ALL KINDS,
GALVANIC BATTERIES,
JONES' PATENT LOCK SWITCH,
PATENT ELECTRIC GONGS,
PRINTING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS,
ALSO, ON HAND AND FOR SALE,
D. W. PUTT & CO.'S Mechanical Telegraph
Instruments,
^'Pope's Modern Practice of the Electric Telegraph,"
AND A FULL ASSORTMENT OF
TELEGRAPH MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES,
AT THE LOWEST PRICES.
/CANADIAN TELEGRAPH SUPPLY
MANUFACTURING COMPANY,
MANUFACTURERS OF
All kinds of Electrical Instruments
TELEGRAPH SUPPLIES.
All orders promptly filled, at reasonable prices.
'Office and Factory,
3B2 and 3S4 KING STREET, WEST,
Toronto, Ont.
~YT7ESTERN ELECTRIC
MANUFACTURING COMPANY
FURNISH ALL DESCRIPTIONS OF
Copper Office and Magnet Wire,
OF OUR OWN MANUFACTURE,
WITH
EVERY VARIETY OP INSULATION,
FINE RESISTANCE WIRE and DOUBLE and
SINGLE CONNECTING CORD.
Western Electric Manufacturing Company,
CHICAGO.
/CHARLES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
^-'^ (ESTABLISHED 1856.)
109 Court Street, Boston,
lias for sale the various kinds of Office »nd Magnet Wires, in-
cluding Cotton Covered, Silk, Gutta Percha, Painted, Fancy, and
DAY'S KERITE COVERED WIRE.
E
UGENE F. PHILLIPS,
MANUFACTURER OF
REED & PHILLIPS'
PATENT INSULATED TELEGRAPH WIRES,
Lock Box 169.
(PATENTED, NOVEMBER 18TH, 1873.)
PROVIDENCE, R. I.
Having recently enlarged our factory, we are now prepared
to furnish at short notice any style and quantity of
BRAIDED LINEN or COTTON COVERED WIRE,
saturated and finished with our Patent Compound, which makes
the most durable, handsome and best insulated Braided Wire
manufactured.
PAINTED, PARAFFINE or SHELLAC WIRES
also furnished at-the lowest prices. Iron or Compound Wires
covered upon reasonable terms.
We are also prepared to furnish a new style of
ELECTRIC CORDAGE,
which has been pronounced by all superior to any in the market.
The American District and Gold and Stock Telegraph Com-
panies have been supplied from my works with a greater
portion of the office wire used by them.
j89~ Sample Card and Price List furnished when requested.
Phillips' Wire can be had of
L. G. Tillotson & Co ...New York.
Charles T. Chester "
F. L. Pope & Co "
W. Hockhausen "
Patrick Bunnell & Co Philadelphia.
Watts & Co Baltimore.
Charles Williams, Jr Boston.
Thomas Hall "
George H. Bliss & Co Chicago.
General Superintendent's Office,
American District Telegraph Co.,
New York, January 1st, 1874.
E. F. Phillips, Esq.
Dear Sir: Your office wire is a decided success. We have
used it exclusively for two years and consider it the best in the
market.
Respectfully,
W. H. SAWYER, Gen'l Sup't.
JOSEPH MOORE & SONS,
{.Established 1820,)
535 & 537 CHINA STREET^
(Below Green St.,) PHILADELPHIA, Pa.,
MANUFACTURERS OF
INSULATED WIRES.
OFFICE WIRE— Plain, Braided, Prepared, &c.
INSTRUMENT WIRE— Cotton and Silk Covered, &c.
FLEXIBLE CORDS, all kinds, &c, &c.
We warrant all Wire to be of the highest conductivity, tested
by our Galvanometer, which compares with the tests of the
I highest authority in this country.
HHILLOTSON'S EXCELSIOR
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT.
This apparatus is constructed of the best material, and finished
equal to any Telegraph Instrument, and is warranted first class
in every particular. It is especially adapted to the require-
ments of Students of Telegraphy and the operation of Private
Telegraph Lines.
Price, complete, Sounder and Key mounted on finely
finished Mahogany Base, with one Cell Hill's Patent
Battery, with Chemicals, eight feet of Office Wire, and
" Smith's Manual of Telegraphy" $7 50
Two sets 14 50
Price of Sounder and Key only 6 50
" " " with Cut Out and Lightning
Arrester attached 7 50
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
No. 8 DET STREET, N. T.
P
ARTRICK, BUNNELL & CO.,
OF PHILADELPHIA.
are daily in receipt of letters from everywhere, pronouncing
their
CHAMPION SETS
to be just what they are named,
"CHAMPIONS OVER ALL COMPETITORS,"
and really worth six to one, as serviceable and pretty instru-
ments, more than anything of the kind yet introduced.
AGENCIES WANTED.
CALLAUD BATTERIES
KEPT ON HAND. AND ORDERS FILLED BY
W. MITCHELL M C ALLISTER,
728 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia,
CHARLES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
109 Court Street, Boston,
AND BY THE
WESTERN ELE0TRI0 MANUFACTURING 00.,
AGENTS FOR THE UNITED STATES.
220 East Kinzie Street, Chicago, III.
WALLACE & SONS,
manufacturers of
BRASS. COPPER & GERMAN SILVER WIRE.
Also, BRASS, COPPER and GERMAN SILVER,
In the Roll and Sheet.
We make the manufacture of Electric Wire a specialty—
ospoeially the finer sizes of Copper for conduction, and German
811ver for resistance purposes — guaranteeing the conductivity of
the same in overy instance to be superior to that of any other
manufacturer in the market.
WAREHOUSE,
8«J Chamber Street, N. Y.
MANUFACTORY,
Angonia., Conn.
11
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[February 21, 18T4».
\ LEXANDER L. HAYES,
I*te Assistant Examiner of Electrical and Telegraphic Apparatus,
U. S. Patent Office),
SOLICITOR OF PATENTS,
No. 17 PEMBERTON SQUARE,
(Room 12,)
BOSTON, MASS.
rpHE AMATEUR'S
TELEGRAPH APPARATUS.
(Patented April 16th, 1872.)
s
ECURITY MESSAGE HOOK.
PATENT APPLIED FOB.
The damage from the loss of a single message will equip aline
many times with our new Hoot, which gives great security.
« Price 30centseach.
" per dozen $3.00.
Liberal terms to the trade.
GEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
43 Third Avenue, Chicago, HI.,
General Agents.
s
ECOND-HAND RELAYS.
A large lot of well polished and good working Relays for sale
very cheap ; also, several sets of
SICKS REPEATE\RS,
in perfect order, at a nominal price.
CEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
41 THIRD AVE., Chicago, 111.
TJUSSELLS' AMERICAN
_ STEAM PRINTING HOUSE,
17, 19, 21, 23 ROSE STREET, near FRANKFORT,
NEW YORK,
EXECUTES ALL DESCRIPTIONS OF
BOOK, JOB AND COMMERCIAL PBIBTIBG.
TELEGRAPH PRINTING A SPECIALTY.
npHOS. CHALMERS' SONS,
MANtTFACTUKERS OF
ELECTRIC ANNUNCIATORS,
FOB
HOTELS, DWELLINGS, STEAMSHIPS, TACHTS,
etc., etc.,
AND ALL KINDS OF
ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS,
BELLS, BATTERIES, WIRE, etc.,
BURGLAR ALARMS, FIRE ALARMS,
79 VARICK ST REET, NEW YORK.
A HAND-BOOK OF PRACTICAL TELE-
GRAPHY.
By R. S. CULLEY,
ENGINEER TO THE
ELECTRIC AND INTERNATIONAL
TELEGRAPH COMPANY.
Published with the sanction ot the Chairman and Directors of
the Electric and International Telegraph Company, and adopted
by the Department of Telegraphs for India.
FOURTH EDITION,
REVISED AND ENLARGED,
vol. 8vo, cloth $5 oo.
Copies sent free by mail on receipt of price.
My new Catalogue of American and Foreign Scientific Books
flighty pages, 8vo, sent to any address on receipt of ten cents. '
D. VAN NOSTEAND, Publisher,
23 MURRA Y STREET, N. Y.
This is a bona fide Telegraph Instrument, with a full sized
Trunnion Lever Key, with Friction Circuit Closer and a Pony
Sounder, both on same base.
The Battery used is Hill's Patent Gravity Battery, the most
constant and economical in use.
With each Instrument is furnished
ONE CUP OF BATTERY,
TWO YARDS OFFICE WIRE,
ONE PACKAGE BLUE VITRIOL,
ONE PACKAGE SULPHATE ZINC,
and a "Manual of the Telegraph," for the instruction of be-
ginners. This is a sufficient outfit for the student.
In operating a short line there will only be required, in
addition to the above, more cups of battery, according to the
length of line.
COMPLETE OUTFIT, WITH BATTERY, CHEMICALS
AND MANUAL,
Seven Dollars.
Sounder and Key only 6 00
" " with Cut-out and Lightning Arrester. . . 7 00
GEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
SOLE AGENTS,
41 THIRD AVENUE,
Chicago, HI.
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
OHAFFNER'S
TELEGRAPH MANUAL.
TO TELEGRAPHISTS.
I am now revising my " TELEGRAPH MANUAL," and desire
to make the work complete in its description of the present
state of /
TELECRAPHIC SCIENCE AND ART.
There are some Six Hundred and Twenty-five Illustra-
tions in the Edition of 1869, and the present coming Edition will
contain at least One Thousand, descriptive of the latest
improvements.
At present it Is my design to issue two Volumes, containing
about 600 pages each, separating the Historical from the Ope-
rative.
I will thank any one for information suitable for such a work.
Would like drawings and description of apparatuses.
Respectfully,
TAL. P. SHAFFNER,
78 and 80 Broadway^
NEW YORK.
"ll/TODERN PRACTICE OF THE ELEC-
-L'-*- TRIC TELEGRAPH.
A HAND-BOOK
FOB
ELECTRICIANS AND OPERATORS.
By PRANK L. POPE.
Seventh Edition, Revised and Enlarged by the addition of 40
pages of New Matter on
RECENT IMPROVEMENTS,
AND
FULLY ILLUSTRATED.
8vo, cloth. $2.00
%g- Copies sent free by mail on receipt of price.
My new Catalogue of American and Foreign Scientific Books
sent per mail, on receipt of ten cents.
D. VAN NOSTRAND, Publisher,
23 MURRA Y STREET and 27 WARREN STREET.
1HE BISHOP GUTTA PERCHA WORKS,,
422, 424, 426 EAST 25th ST., N. T.
S. BISHOP, Proprietor,
ONLY MANUFACTURER
OF
PURE GUTTA PERCHA GOODS;
IN THE
UNITED STATES.
— <H&=
Has also on hand, and makes to order,
SUBMARINE CABLES, OFFICE CABLES, AND INSULATE©
WIRES OF EVERT VARIETY,
FOB
TELEGRAPH, UNDERGROUND AND ELECTRIC USE.
Fuse Wires, Leading and Connecting Wires for SUBMARINE
and MINING PURPOSES.
Also, a NEW COMPOUND (thoroughly tested) for underground-
and out-door use.
Cotton, Linen, Silk and Fibre covered Wires for
MAGNET AND OFFICE USE,
of any pattern or style.
OFFICE WIRES,
Cotton and Gutta Percha covered, with any number of conductors-
required.
Gutta Percha and Cotton covered Wires for HOTEL ANNUN-
CIATORS, ELECTRIC BELLS and BURGLAR ALARMS.
Has on hand and makes to order
SUBMARINE CABLES, INSULATED WIRES, for
TELEGRAPH AND ELECTRIC U8E r
AND FOK
BZASTING AND MINING PURPOSES,
In every variety desired.
As an Insulation for Telegraph Cables and Electric Conductors
Gutta Percha has been universally adopted by all scientific and
practical Electricians and ManufacturersofTelegrapb Cables and
Wires in this country and Europe, and has sustained, with In-
creasing superiority in the practical test of over twenty-five
years' general use.
The PROPRIETOR will guarantee, to all parties purcharing
SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH CABLES,
to make and deliver at his Factory any style of Cable. Insulated
with Gutta Percha, as low as they can impobt Cable of the same
style and quality, and in half the lime required to import them.
CABLES OF ONE MILE OR LESS manufactured and de-
livered at one week's notice.
ORDERS RECEIVED AT THE FACTORY.
Messrs. L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
8 BEY STREET, NEW YORK,
have been appointed by me GENERAL AGENTS for the sale of
any Telegraph Cable or Wire manufactured at the Works In New
York, at Factory Prices, delivered in New York.
JOHN TH0KNLEY, 503 Chestnut St., Philadelphia,
has been appointed Agent for the sale of any and all goods manu-
factured by me, at Factory Prices, delivered In New York.
Any Goods manufactured {except Telegraph Goods) are for
sale In New York by
SARGENT &. STUDLEY, 26 Park Place,
RUBBER CLOTHING CO.. 363 Broadway,
D. H0DGMAN & CO., 27 Maiden Lane,
SHEPARD & DUDLEY, 150 William St.
Address all Communications to
S. B I S H O DP,
OFFICE AT FACTOR r-
February 21, 1814.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
43
The Telegraphek
A Journal of
ELECTRICAL PROGRESS.
J. N. ASHLEY,
PUBLISHER.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1814.
VOL. X.
WHOLE No. 397.
An Operator's Musings.
By J. A.
The other night, 'twas dark and dreary,
An operator, tired and weary,
Sitting within his office gloomy,
With sullen look on his "visnomy."
The rain beat fast on pane and shutter,
The wind swept round with dreadful clutter
And he, poor soul, felt quite forlorn,
As o'er the wire these words were borne :
"Poor baby died at half past seven ;
Buried to-morrow at eleven ;"
He spoke aloud, in tones of sorrow,
" Alive to-day and dead to-morrow."
The mystic words set him a thinking
Of thousands who are daily sinking
Into the grave. Death shoots the arrow-
Alive to-day and dead to-morrow.
Such were his thoughts. A gentle tapping
Aroused him from his solemn napping ;
He looked around in silent wonder —
The sound appeared like distant thunder.
"It cannot be ; I've not been sleeping,
The clock strikes three ; how time is fleeting ;
But hark 1 there goes another message,
On wings as swift as birds of passage :"
"A child was born this morning early,
And such a boy is seen but rarely ;"
This was the substance of the letter
Or telegram — the name is better.
Yet so it is, while time doth linger,
Or cruel Death doth point its finger ;
Or souls come forth to worldly sorrow,
Some born to-day and die to-morrow.
Ah, what 1 still, still there goes another,
The deepest grief and gloom to smother ;
"Married this morning — Sister Pearly
Arrive by train to-morrow early."
Two loving hearts have been united,
Their futures bright, their paths unblighted
By dire misfortune — Death will sever.
They live to-day, but not forever.
Yet such is life, its joys, its troubles ;
Still it is naught but glistening bubbles ;
For time will pierce the heart with sorrow
Wedded to-day, and die to-morrow.
The Elementary Principles of Electrical Meas-
urement.
By F. L. Pope.
(Continued from page 25.)
The Galvanometer .
A magnetic needle, freely suspended in such a man-
ner as to be at liberty to place itself in the magnetic
meridian, and provided with a conducting wire so
arranged as to convey an electric current parallel to
and in the immediate vicinity of itself, constitutes a
galvanometer. A scale divided into degrees is usually
added, by means of which the angle through which the
needle is deflected from the magnetic meridian may
be conveniently ascertained. As the galvanometer in
some form is almost an indispensable requisite in every
class of electrical measurements, it is desirable to be-
come acquainted with its different modifications
before taking up the subject of electrical measure-
ments in detail.
Galvanometers may be conveniently divided
into two classes. In instruments of the first class
the angles of the deflections are not proportional
to the strength of current by which they are pro-
duced, except to a limited extent, while in those of n
the second class the deflections bear a fixed and
definite mathematical relation to the strength or
quantity of the currents by which they are pro- 1
duced, throughout the whole extent of the scale. j«j
The simplest form of the galvanometer consists as
of a carefully balanced magnetic needle, capable of
turning freely in a horizontal plane, and a conduc-
tor consisting of a metallic wire or band passing close
to the needle, either above or beneath it, in a direction
parallel to the magnetic meridian. This arrangement
is illustrated in Fig. 6. N S is the magnetic needle,
and E¥a wire passing directly over and parallel to it.
The direction of this wire must necessarily be north and
south, as the needle will always assume that position
under the influence of the earth's magnetism. If now
the extremities of the wire R W are connected with the
poles of a voltaic battery, so as to cause an electric cur-
rent to pass through it, the needle N S will be deflected
from its normal position, and will assume the position
a b or c d, according to the direction of the current
passing through the wire W R. If the wire be placed
Pig. 6.
in the same direction, but below the needle the deflec
tions will be the reverse of those produced by the same
current when passing above the needle. For example,
if the copper or positive pole of the battery is attached
to W, and the zinc or negative pole to R, the north
seeking pole of the needle will turn to the west if the
latter is below the wire, and to the east if above it.
Fig. 7.
The tendency of the force exercised upon the needle
by the current is to place it in a position at right
angles to the conducting wire, and consequently to the
magnetic meridian. But it is not possible for even the
most powerful current to deflect a needle sufficiently
to cause it to assume a position exactly at right angles
r^f^
.,'.!-, ■
Fig. 8.
to the conductor, because of the iufluence of the earth's
magnetism, which still acts upon the needle and tends
to draw it back to its original position.
If the conductor be carried entirely around the
needle, so as to pass once above and once beneath it,
Fig. 9.
the influence of the current upon the needle will bo
doubled, and the resulting deflection considerably in-
creased. It will be evident, upon reflection, that as the
current passes in one direction above the needle, and in
the other direction below it, the tendency of both will
bo to deflect the needle in the same direction. " This
operation of carrying the wire around the needle may
be repeated any required number of times, and in this
manner the effect of a very feeble current upon a
needle may be multiplied until it manifests itself by
causing a deflection. Hence, a needle surrounded by
a number of turns or convolutions of wire is called a
multiplier. The writer has employed in some of his
experiments an instrument of this kind, having: 40,000
convolutions of fine wire surrounding the needle.
The most sensitive galvanometers or multipliers are
those provided with what is termed an astatic system
of needles. This consists of two separate needles,
coupled together in the manner shown in Fig. 7. Both
needles are placed in the same perpendicular planes,
one directly over the other, but with their north and
south poles opposite to each other. If the magnetism
of the two needles were exactly equal, and they were
also exactly parallel to each other, the action of the
earth's magnetism upon each of them would be equal
and opposite, and consequently they would remain at
rest in any position indifferently. Bat in practice one
needle always slightly overpowers the other, and by
this excess determines the position of equilibrium.
This position is never in the magnetic meridian, and is
often nearly at right angles to it.
In the astatic system, represented in Fig. 7, the
directive force of the earth's magnetism is nearly
neutralized by the influence of the two needles upon
each other, while on the other hand the magnetic
effect of the current upon the system is doubled. This
is accomplished by arranging the conducting wire in
such a manner that it will tend to deflect both needles
in the same direction, as will readily be understood by
a careful inspection of the figure. A light pointer or
index, A B, is placed upon the axis above the upper
coil, which traverses a scale divided into degrees, and
serves to indicate the angle of deflection of the needles.
In some instruments the lower needle only is sur-
rounded by the conducting wire, and in this case the
upper needle may serve as a pointer. Of course, this
combination is less sensitive to the action of feeble cur-
rents than the preceding one.
A system of astatic needles is usually suspended by
a minute filament of silk, and is therefore capable of
being deflected by an exceedingly feeble current.
A galvanometer or multiplier, constructed upon the
plan which has just been described, is principally use-
ful as a means of detecting the presence of an electric
current. As a measure of the actual magnitude of a
current it is deficient, inasmuch as its deflections are
not proportional to the currents by which they are pro-
duced beyond 14° or 15* of the scale. The reason of
this will be apparent hereafter.
Thomson's Reflecting Galvanometer.
This beautiful apparatus, invented by Sir "William
Thomson, of Glasgow University, is the most sensitive
and probably the most generally useful iustrument of
the kind ever devised. Strictly speaking it is one of
the class above referred to, the deflections of which are
not, beyond a certain point, proportional to the cur-
rents producing them. It is, however, so arranged that
in practice the actual deflections of the needle which
are observed, are never required to exceed a very few
degrees on each side of the meridian, and, therefore,
the values indicated by them are in reality strictly pro-
portional to the currents by which they are produced.
The principle of the reflecting galvanometer is well
shown in Fig. 8, which is taken from Jeukiu's Elec-
tricity and Magnetism.
A copper wire, insulated by being overspun with
silk, is wound upon a hollow cylindrical bobbin of
brass, A, provided with deep flanges, B B', and having
feet at C by which it is supported upon a base of wood
or hard rubber. Inside of A a small brass plug, D, is
fitted, having at one end a hollow chamber about 0.6
inches in diameter, which is closed by the lens E. The
latter should have a focal distance of about 48 inches.
Within the little chamber the mirror and magnet are
suspended by a single fibre of silk— such as may be
drawn out of a silk ribbon— and which should be so
thin as to be almost invisible. The mirror itself
is formed of microscope glass as truly plane iu sur-
face and as thin as possible. The length of the
magnet is equal to the diameter of the mirror-
about half an inch — and is attached tothe latter
by means of a little shellac dissolved in alcohol.
The magnet is often made of a piece of watch
spring. Care should be taken that the mirror is
not drawn out of shape when the magnet is at-
tached to it. The silk fibre is also secured to the
mirror by means of tho shellac varnish, and then
threaded through a small hole in tho top of the
chamber, by means of a needle with a little varnish
on it, and secured by means of tho same material.
"When thus arranged, the plug D and its contents
may be introduced into or withdrawn from A at pleas-
ure. The outside diameter of the flanges B B is a'iout
2.r> inches, and of the length from B to B' about 1.7
inches.
The diameter of the wire with which the space
inside tho flanges B B' is wound, depends upon the
purposo for which the instrument is to be used; as will
44
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[February 21, 1814
be hereafter explained. The two erids of the galvan-
ometer wire T and T' are connected to two binding-
screws, a and b, Pig. 9, insulated by means of hard
rubber, and to which other wires may be attached.
The instrument is completed by a common kerosene
lamp, L, placed behind a screen having a slit M in it,
in front of the mirror, and being also provided with a
horizontal white paper scale N, about twenty inches in
length. When the apparatus is arranged, as shown in
Pig. 9, a narrow pencil of light from the lamp L passes
through the opening M, and thence through the leus to
the little mirror, and is reflected back by the latter
through the lens, which forms a sharp image of the
flame of the lamp upon the scale. The zero point is in
the centre of the scale, exactly opposite the mirror,
and when no current is passing the spot of light which
serves as an index remains at zero.
The operator reads the indications from a point just
in the rear of the magnet and coil, the light of the
lamp being cut off by the screen, so that he only sees
the small luminous opening through which the light
passes to the mirror, and a brilliantly defined image of
the flame upon the white scale just above, which is
kept in shadow by the screen. If by the passage of a
current, through the coil the magnet is deflected to the
right or left, the spot of light moves to the right or left
along the scale. The angle formed by the reflected
rays being twice the angle through which the magnet
and mirror are deflected, a very small angle causes a
comparatively great displacement of the image. It
will at once be seen that we virtually have in this in-
strument an index arm four or five feet long, abso-
lutely without either weight or inertia.
With an instrument of the above proportions the
indicated deflections are, as has been explained, almost
strictly in proportion to the streugth of current pro-
ducing them, the range of the magnet itself being con-
siderably less than 14° on each side of zero. It is a
good plan to have the scale curved to form part of a
circle having its centre at the point of suspension of
the magnet.
An adjustable permanent magnet, S, is usually
placed in the magnetic meridian above the coil ; by
raising or lowering this magnet the action of the di-
rective force of the earth upon the suspended magnet
may be increased or weakened at pleasure. If the
south' pole of S is placed to the south it may be put in
such a position as to render the needle nearly astatic.
The instrument is then in its most sensitive position,
but the spot of light will never remain quite station-
ary. The zero adjustment may then be controlled by
a second small magnet, T, placed at right angles to the
magnetic meridian.
A galvanometer of this kind might be constructed
by an ingenious student without much difficulty, and
would be a very useful and instructive instrument.
[(719 be continued.)
year, and had been identified with No. 4 Bast for ten lay it down rather sorry that we have not a better ac-
years or more. He was a dwarf in stature, but men-
tally he stood among the most intelligent members of
the profession. Naturally of a smart, quick tempera-
ment, be was sufficiently educated and travelled to be
a most genial companion, and on postprandial occasions
he was ever happy, comical and interesting in his re-
marks. He had his peculiarities, like the rest of us,
but his bonhommie served as an ample mantle to hide
his faults, and his friends were those who knew him
loDg and intimately.
[From The Ghost.']
Death !
It is with sincere sorrow .that we announce the
death, on the 11th inst., of the eldest son of Mr. J. T.
Olmstead, of this office. There are others among us
who have stood over the agonized form of onr first
born and best beloved of all, and seen the little face on
which we have looked so proudly lose the tinge of life,
the little limbs grow cold, and felt, alas! how sure is
death. All who have, met this sad experience will
sympathize to-dny with our fellow laborer in his. be-
reavement heartily and sincerely. No one else can'
sympathize completely. Such losses as these cast a
shadow into a man's heart, that good fortune, good
health, a swarm of smiling children — everything the
world may give — can never quite light up. It is a
grief which, coming but once, outweighs all other sor-
rows, and leaves a scar which none can comprehend
but those who number it among their woes.
Gilbert M. Simmons, formerly a printing operator in
this office, died on the 12th inst., at his home in Wil-
liamsbnrgh. His death resulted from a paralytic shock
sustained in May last, hastened somewhat, perhaps, by
a dropsical tendency. Mr. Simmons belonged in
Pougbkeepsie, N. T., but had worked here for ten
years or more, and was quite well known among print-
ing operators generally. He recovered partially from
his paralysis during the fall, and resumed his place for
a 'few weeks, but when cold weather came on he
again withdrew and he never returned. His death,
while it was not unlooked for by those who knew of
his critical condition, will take many by surprise, as it
seems but yesterday that he was here. He and Charles
P. Simmons, who died in San Francisco on the 22d of
last December, were brothers.
At Springfield, Mass., on the 11th inst., P. B. Curtis,
better known .among the profession as " the Major,"
died suddenlyfat his home, where he had been con-
fined several days with a slight indispositiou. He was
thought to be recovering, but in the early part of the
day he was seized with apoplexy and died almost in-
stantly. "Major" Curtis was in his twenty-ninth
[From The Ghost,]
Odds and Ends.
On St. Valentine's day there passed through this of-
fice the following poet's appeal, supposed from its tenor
to be going from a father to his absent dear:
An empty chair is by my side;
An empty void is gaping wide.
No call for pickles greets my ear;
No cry for sugar do I hear.
The girl who at my right hand sat
Has donned her jacket and her hat,
And off to Bristol she has gone,
And left her Popsey all alone.
Oh, do come back, and once more shine,
And be your dovey's valentine!
Here is a short one of a similar shade, which comes to
us on what compositors would call "snake copy," and
is, presumedly, the work of one of the printing ope-
rators :
Well, Jake and George, my honest blades, I'm sorry for to say
My heart is sad, my mem'ry fades ; forgot 'twas Cupid's day.
So, not to let the custom fall, I'll simply drop a line:
I'm yours — body, boots and all — your mouldy valentine.
A young man, who lamented in these columns his
disgust at having to work on New Tear's day, and po-
etically resolved that
"During sevonty-four, you bet,
I'll steadily keep out of debt," etc.,
has split upon another rock thus early in the year, and
tells his story after this fashion :
I love her yet, that sweet brunette,
Although she has deceived me.
Her cruei ways did nearly craze,
And have quite sorely grieved me.
She wrote bad Morse, but yet, of course,
I never dared to broak her.
She was so proud, she'd tell the crowd
How fast and well I'd take her.
But oh ! alas ! it came to pass
I made a horrid blunder,
Which raised her ire, and o'er the wire
Said she, " You go to thunder!"
PERSONAL AND GENERAL.
John P. Riley, of Hartford, whose numerous mes-
sages—" Get me a ' sub ', to night," " You know how I
am," " I am on my way up town "—made him famous
while here, is sojourning in New York for awhile, and
be looks as if the world was using him pretty well,
too.
The Baltimore American announces that the proprie-
tors of that journal have purchased the building corner
of Baltimore and South streets, Baltimore, now occupied
by the Western Union Telegraph Company, on the site
of which they inteud to erect a $125,000 shanty, known
as the Baltimore American Building.
Mr. A. D. Taylor, a day operator heretofore, succeeds
P. B. Curtis, deceased, as night icport operator' at
Springfield, Mass. Mr. Taylor is ore of the finest ope-
rators of our acquaintance, and those who manipulate
No. 4 East at this end will be glad to learn of his per-
manent appointment.
On the 4th instant Mr. William H. Hargrave, of this
office, was united in wedlock, at White Plains, N. Y., to
Miss Ella L. Esler— the Rev. Mr. Van Kleeck officia-
ting. It seems an empty thing to say " we congratu-
late," etc.; but, perhaps, the unusual sincerity with
which we wish this newly married pair a happy voyage
over life's dangerous waters, may render our congratu-
lations acceptable.
Dr. Powler Bradnac has returned to New York and
will commence the practice of medicine here. He conies
from Detroit, where he has relinquished a large and lu-
crative business— the social attractions of this metropolis
and the facilities afforded for a professional man to per-
fect himself in his studies, having done the business for
this genial disciple of Esculapius,asit has for the disci-
ples of Bacchus, Momus and numerous other old parties
who died some time back. The doctor will, perhaps,
combine physic with electrical science, and agitate the
brass occasionally.
The Switch is the title of a diminutive journal pub-
lished in the Western Union Chicago office. It is edited
by the well known "Billy" Wallace, and is replete
with local bits aud happenings. It must be keenly rel-
ished by the Chicagoans, to whom every line tells a
tale — the fine point involved in which is not so readilv
seen. by outsiders. However, there are lots of thing's
in The Switch which [are enjoyable to all, though we
quaintance with our Chicago brethren, so we might
know more accurately on whom The Switch is laid,
and whose foibles are so pleasantly lashed in its col-
umns.
We again beg to acknowledge our indebtedness to
Mr. J. J. Calaban for his efforts to the end of making
The Ghost lively and entertaining. His caricatures,
always fanny without being personal, are laughed over
by everybody and admired by all. " The twenty-sev-
enth man off, as he appeared at the South Perry," and
the thirsty trio of telegraphic " bums," who, having ac-
cidentally met in New York, penniless, of course, are
"snuffing the bottle from afar off," are worthy of a
place in any humorous journal in existence; but, un-
fortunately, the subjects are not to be appreciated by
those of the common clay, and so Mr. Calahan, like
many another genius before him, continues to hide his
light under a bushel.
Dr. J. C. Graham, of No. 145, has been made the recip-
ient of a very handsome Russia leather segar case, the
donors being Messrs. O'Brien and Clarke, night operators
at Scranton and Wilkesbarre, respectively. The gift is
tendered, as a note which accompanies it explains, in
token of their appreciation of his patience and judgment
in sending " State Press." Courtesies of this kind are
so very rare — the receiving operators on a press wire
having an affection for the sender very similar to that
which his satanic majesty is supposed to entertain for
holy water — that this one should go on record by all
means. The " regular practitioner," we believe, will
not advertise, but we hope Dr. Graham will not
"kick" at this publicity. In the words of inky
Othello :
" It is the cause — it is the cause, my soul."
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our
Correspondents. Our columns are open to free discussions
on all Telegraphic subjects, without distinction of person or
opinion.
No notice will be taken of anonymous communications.
The Closing Services of the P. and A. Chicago
Office. — Location of the late Employes.
Northwest, February 7.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
As the Pacific and Atlantic Company is permanently
defunct, and the employes scattered here and there, it
is desired by those of us in this section of the country
to learn through the columns of The Telegrapher
what has become of them, and how they have fared
since the last " Good night " was said on the P. and A.
wires, and they passed to and became a part of the
Western Union system 1
That memorable Saturday evening, December 27,
1873, is one long to be remembered by the officers and
employes of the Chicago offices.
Among the greetings exchanged, the following to
Circuit Manager Long will show what kindly feelings
existed between the operators as a class:-
" Pittsburg, Pa., Dec. 27, 1873.
" To W. C. Long, Chicago, 111.
" In behalf of the .operators in this office, allow me to
thauk you for your courtesy toward us. May you live
Long and prosper is the wish of each one of us. Pre-
sent our compliments to your force. Our wires are be-
ing cut and switched into Western Union now. Pare-
well. (Signed), . . Ra."
As " Ra " was the operator who generally worked
Chicago circuit the above gave us all the more pleasure,
because it came from one who knew all our failings as
well as our good points.
A little before six o'clock Supt. Wilson, of the West-
ern Union, entered the office, and, with Circuit Manager
Long at the switch board, disconnected the wires. As
fast as opened by the closing of a key in the Western
Union office the transfer was made, so complete were
the arrangements in W. U. for the transfer.
Messrs. Pearson and Stevely accepted positions in
the operators' ranks in the W. U. office. Messrs. Long,
Portier, and Hall were put on the W. U. day force',
and Mr. Dennis on the night force. Mr. Gross accepted
a position as operator and clerk with the A. and P. Co.,
Chicago, 111. Garner has accepted a position with the
Chicago and Northwestern Railway Co. as operator and
signal man at Tunnel No. 3, Summit, Wis.
Messrs. Harris and Iredale, "Branch Office men,"
continue in their respective offices, which are main-
tained as Western Union offices. The "Indomitable
Louderback," who established an office on commission
with the three opposition lines, P. and A., A. and P.
and Great Western, at No. 86 Madison street, continues
there for the Western Union Company. The balance
of the branch offices were closed.
Communications from others as to whereabouts and
positions of the Israelites will be acceptable and highly
appreciated.
February 21, 1814.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
48
A word in regard to subscriptions. I am sorry to
see so much indifference manifested towards The Tele-
grapher, and hope operators will wake up to their
interests by rolling in a liberal subscription from all
quarters. I must say that my success in soliciting sub-
scribers has been the same sad experience as that of
my fellow laborer over the signature of " T," in issue
of January 24th. Ex. P. and A.
*"•"* .
A Matrimonial Failing.
Albany, Oregon, Jan. 30th.
TO THE EDITOR OP THE TELEGRAPHER.
Failing to keep The Telegrapher posted as to what
is going on is something I very seldom do. Everybody,
of course, have their failings, but we of the Oregon and
California Railroad Telegraph have one we think a
good deal of— i. e., Chas. D. Paling, Superintendent of
Telegraph and Train Despatcher, but we must say we
were very much surprised last Wednesday to learn
that, failing to find true enjoyment in the life of a
bachelor, he had taken unto himself a wife. Tester-
day the following telegram of congratulation was pre-
pared and sent over the wire to Mr. Pailing by Assist-
ant Chief Operator Rice, of Albany office. After Mr.
Rice had finished sending it Mr. Kenny, Chief Ope-
rator, signed it, then each operator in routine all over
the wire. The following is the message :
" Chas. D. Faling,
Superintendent Telegraph O.-and C. Railroad.
We tender to you, Mr. Faling, our sincere congratu-
lations upon the annexation of an accomplished and
excellent partner to your markedly faling firm. Our
failure to more promptly learn of the faling alliance
is our apology for failing sooner to proffer our open ex-
pression of that never failing good will which unfail-
ingly possesses our several breasts. May the circuit of
your perfect happiness long remain unbroken, being
clear of escapes and free from resistance. May your
relays never fail you, a proper adjustment being unfail-
ingly maintained. May you, never failing in the full
enjoyment of life's pleasures, as you go dotting and
dashing along her lightning pathway, find no grounds
of discord to mar your harmonious working; and
should crosses annoy, may they ever be sympathetic.
May Time, as he rapidly clicks the hours away, ever
adding something new, also add many lesser falings
to your already faling household; and when the final
good night is given, may your i i be the signal for that
triumphant promotion which is the merit of an unfail-
ingly faithful discharge of life's every duty. Such are
the wishes of your emploves. (Signed),
Jno. J. Kenny, Chf. Opr." W. B. Rice, Asst. Chf. Opr.
W. W. Skinner. G. A. Taylor.
J. E. TlBBETTS. 0. A. TlBBETTS.
C. E. Parks. W. A. Williams.
J. H. Reid. C. R. Wheeler.
Geo. F. Crow. J. M. Fish.
J. H. Woodrow. J. L. Williams.
S. B. Hendee. H. C Stevens.
W. T. Bradley."
Mr. Faling was nonplussed for awhile, but shortly
recovering from his surprise, telegraphed the following
reply :
" Operators 0. and C. Railroad.
Gentlemen: Allow me to return you my sincere
thanks for your kind wishes and hearty congratula-
tions. I assure you they are deeply and truly appre-
ciated. Hoping that the bonds of friendship which
have existed between us may never be severed, and
that fraternally our harmonious relations may con-
tinue as heretofore, I remain very truly yours,
C,has. D. Faling."
As lottery gent remarks — " Who's the next lucky
man ?" This looks discouraging to us five (5) poor
lonely old fellows — all that are left out of a baud of fif-
teen gay bachelors a year or so ago. But we will try
and bear the burden yet a little longer, and there will,
we trust, be further rejoicing in . Webfoot.
Good Counsel to the Telegraphic Fraternity.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
For some time I have desired to respond to the com-
munications and remarks of "Nettie Brouson," and to
let her know that I sympathize with and feel Tor her. It
occurred to me to try to obtain her real name and ad-
dress, and open a personal correspondence with her, to
tell her my experience, and how I fought my way until
I obtained the portion and office that I finally secured
here; but, on further consideration, I was' doubtful
whether she would appreciate it, or be willing to corre-
spond with an operator of her own sex, and so aban-
doned the idea.
In The Telegrapher of February 7th I noticed
communications over the signatures of " Elias " and " S.
L. C," which have again brought the subject to my
mind, and I have decided to respond, if room can be
accorded for my communication in your columns.
" Elias " has expressed my opinion in regard to " Nettie
Bronson " exactly. I should like to hear from her occa-
sionally through The Telegrapher, and learn how
she prospers in what I know by experience to be an
arduous undertaking for a woman — getting a living by
telegraphy.
I am thankful that opportunity is given in your col-
umns for a discussion of the morals and conduct of the
fraternity, which has changed my views concerning
them somewhat, as set forth in my communication of
Aug. 9th, 1873, over the signature of " Female Opera-
tor," when I made public my grievances.
I am sorry to say that since then, as far as my ac-
quaintance has gone with them on this circuit, I have
met but three or four (certainly not more) who may
properly be called gentlemeu in every respect— never
meeting these iu person and not knowing their bad
habits, if they have any, but judge that they have
none. I have fouud, however, that as a general thing
those who were coarse and ungentlemanly over the
line were drinkers, smokers, billiard players, etc. —
slaves to habits which sink men below the brutes.
Thank God that they are not all alike ! and may he
bless those who can say No to every temptation.
Their reward is and will be great.
Brothers, continue in well doing. I would request
you to remember this fraternity in your daily devo-
tions, as I have done ever since I became connected
with telegraphy. We who can and do resist' tempta-
tion should let our light so shine that others may see
that we are walking with Christ.
To the young, careless and reckless, I would say,
"It is not all of life to live here." No, we are only
pilgrims and strangers here, journeying, it is to be
hoped, towards a better land. Let us so live that we
may all meet there. Good bye all. God bless you
and keep you, and give you strength to overcome all
evil. Jennie.
*-♦-♦
A Heavy Sleet Storm.— A Telegraph Line Man
Treed by a Mule.
Charleston, S. C, Feb. 11.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
Seeing nothing in your columns from our section, I
have concluded to let the world know that we still
live, though one of the heaviest sleet storms that has
ever visited this country stopped all direct communica-
tion with the north for five days. The breaks between
Charlotte, N. C, and Danville, Ya., were about forty
to the mile, and it will take several weeks to restore
wires to their original condition. We got Washington
Sunday on temporary wires and work well to New
York now. During the break the Western Union kept
their northern business moving via Nashville, with, of
course, some delay, but the Southern and Atlantic
having no other outlet, had to refuse everything and
grin and bear it patiently, waiting anxiously for a click
from Washington. The weather here during the storm
was cold and wet, and so very disagreeable that half
the usual number of drinks were sufficient to retain the
high polish and beautiful coloring on the tips of the
natives' noses.
Charleston has a natural curiosity in the person of a
nobby lineman, who hails from Virginia, and is the
happy possessor of 1,500 acres of highly cultivated
land in that State. He is one of those'lucky chaps
always finding knives and money in the street cars.
When he sees a quarter on the floor he don't put his
foot on it and await an opportunity of sliding it in his
pocket, like the rest of us, but picks it up and offers it
to every passenger in the car, and if no one claims it
tries to force it into the conductor's or driver's hands.
He is always purchasing canaries and mocking birds
for his friends; but, unluckily, is kept so busy that the
birds take wing and fly away just before he has time
to go for them. Every time he goes out in the country
repairing he purchases chickens, eggs, etc., in abund-
ance for the married men in the office, but it always
happens that there is company at the seller's house
just before he calls for them, and chicks, eggs and
everything have been cooked for said company, but he
can have more next week.
He is now feeling very blue because an amateur
minstrel troupe organizing here won't allow him to buy
instruments for them, and start them out in true Vir-
ginia style, with diamond rings, pins, swallow tailed
brass button coats, paper bosoms, etc. He offered to
do it, and thinks hard of them for refusing the offer.
He was out repairing during the late cold snap, aud
was up a rather decayed pole putting on an insulator.
Whilst busy at work a man rode up, dismounted, and
hitched his mule, a very vicious one, to this pole. .Jim's
fingers getting benumbed lie starts down to warm
them ; but imagine his dismay when he beheld the
mule with his fore feet up the pole, trying to reach him
with his teeth. There is no doubt of his bravery, as
three years' honorable service in the army will testify,
but here was a dilemma. If he remained up Hie pole
he would freeze on it. II' Ik; descended the mule would
freeze on him, or even if he could scare him off he
might pull the pole down in his endeavors to get away, |
in which event he was liable to be severely injured by
the fall. He concluded to risk the freeze rather than
the teeth, so mounted higher and got astride a cross
arm, where he sat whistling " Thou art so near and yet
so far," and singing psalms till the shades of night
brought the owner of the mule back, who unhitched
him aud rode off into the darkuess, releasing the half
frozen telegrapher from his airy perch.
I hear that one of the boys passing along saw him
when he first discovered the mule and had him photo-
graphed. If so I will send you a copy.
He is now throwing money around among the politi-
cians endeavoring to have an ordinance passed prohibit-
ing hitching jabid mules to telegraph poles.
We all look forward impatiently for your paper day,
and it is a most welcome sheet. Why it is not sub-
scribed for by every one in the business is beyond my
comprehension, containing as it does so much valuable
information, besides being the well known champion
of the fraternity. Qtjilp.
♦-♦-♦
Justice to Military Telegraph Operators.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
I notice in The Telegrapher of February 7 a com-
munication signed " Agitator," in regard to a land
bounty for telegraph operators who served the Govern-
ment during the war of the rebellion. As one of the
many operators interested iu this question, I should
very much like to know what, if anything, has at any
time been done to bring our claims before Congress.
Certainly it cannot be denied that our services were quite
as valuable to the Government as were those of the
brave soldier boys who so gallantly ran the risk of be-
coming " food for powder," and are now enjoying their
country's bounty. Although we did not bear arms, we
were constantly exposed to danger and sickness ; and
many of our number standing faithfully at their posts
at points inadequately guarded, were captured by the
enemy and suffered all the horrors of their prison pens ;
others languished on cots (not beds) of sickness, and
many laid down their lives as nobly as did their breth-
ren on the battle field. By our aid many r calamities
were averted, and many advantages gained which could
not have been gained without the help of our little
"clickers," insignificant as they might seem among the
mighty " engines of war " by which they were sur-
rounded. And wherever our army corps were found
there also were seen our field lines, and our brave boys
of the "key and quill," doing as effectual service as
they of the " sword and epaulette ;" while in the rear,
along the railway lines of communication and supply,
their brethren stood sentinel night and day, watching
with untiring fidelity the progress and safety of the
trains bearing to the front the necessaries of life for
those in the field. None were more trusted, or more
implicitly relied upon by the President and the generals
iu command, and none more fully proved themselves
worthy of such confidence. Why, then, should Congress
be unwilling to recognize our services by according to
us a land bounty 1 Few of us are so " well to do" iu
this world's gear that such a bounty would not seem,
and in reality be, a godsend. It seems to me that it
only requires conceried action on ohr part to set the ball
in motion and carry our cause to a successful issue.
Surely we shall find advocates among those in power
who are cognizant of the justice of our claims. Com-
pared with the hosts of arms bearers our numbers are
small, even insignificant; but our services cannot be es-
timated on a basis of " one man power." As your cor-
respondent, " Agitator," truly says, " The services of
one operator were often of greater value than those of
whole regiments."
I am not an organizer, and feel incompetent to sug-
gest a course to be pursued iu this matter; but I hope
others who are interested, and would be benefited by
an Act of Congress iu favor of Military Telegraph Ope-
rators, will give us their views through your columns.
" Agitator's" suggestion that a petition be circulated,
may be a solution of the question as to how we shall
get our claim before Congress. Let the matter not be
dropped again until some end is arrived at, either fav-
orable or otherwise. We believe our claim to be just.
Let us prosecute it with determination, and why shall
we not succeed 1 One ok Tni<: Boys.
A Correction.
To the Editor of The Telegrapher.
In my article last week, on the "Bridge Duplex,"
I attempted to say, " It is not practicable to increase
the sensitiveness of the receiving relay by substituting
one oF higher resistance." The printer made it read
lighter resistance, which inverted the sense of the
passage. As usual. F. L. Pope.
Answer to Correspondent.
Trip. — The niPHHugc received propoily contains eight words
only, but what tho latent. Western Onion official ruling may be
wo don't know.
46
THE TELEGRAPHS
[February^!, 18U.
The Telegrapher
Devoted to the Interests
OF THE
TELEGRAPHIC FRATERNITY.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1874.
THE TELEGRAPHER:
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY at 38* VESEY ST.
TENTH VOLUME.
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION.
One Copy, One Year, - - - - = $3.00.
INVARIABLY IN ADVANCE,
Single Copies Five Cents.
SPECIMEN COPIES FORWARDED FREE on APPLICATION.
Communications must be addressed to
J. N. ASHLEY, Publisher,
(P. O. Box 5503.) 38 VESEY ST. , New York.
rpHE TELEGRAPHER.
A JOURNAL OF ELECTRICAL PROGRESS,
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS
OF THE
Telegraphic Fraternity and the Advancement
of Electrical Science and the
Telegraphic Art.
Published Every Saturday ,
AT
No. 38 VESEY STREET, New York.
TENTH VOLUME.
The Tenth Volume of THE TELEGRAPHER will
commence with the number for SATURDAY, JANUARY 3d,
1874, and will close with the year.
All the popular features of the paper will be continued,, and it
will bo Improved from time to time, as opportunity shall offer.
THE TELEGRAPHER
has now, for nearly ten years, been maintained upon its merits,
and without pnfcronage or support, other than that derived from
Its legitimate business, for the past five years. (Previous io that
time it was partially maintained by the National Telegraphic
Union.)
The TENTH VOLUME commences under favorable auspices,
aiid it may be Baid that it enjoys the entire confidence of the
TELEGRAPHIC FRATERNITY,
whose organ it is and will continue to be. It is a thoroughly
INDEPENDENT TELEGRAPHIC NEWSPAPER,
bound to, or in the interests of no telegbaphio clique oh com-
bination, but honestly devoted to the interests of the
PRACTICAL TELEGRAPHERS.
As heretofore, no labob, time or expense, warranted by the
patronage received, will be spared to improve its character, and
add to its interest, and to sustain its reputation as the only
FIB8T class
ELECTRICAL AND TELEGRAPHIC JOURNAL
UPON THE
AMERICAN CONTINENT.
Terms of Subscription.
ONE COPY, ONE YEAR $2 00
SINGLE COPIES Five Cents.
OaDada Subscribers must remit Twenty Cents in addition for
Postage.
Specimen Copies will be forwarded free on application.
Telegraphers and others are desired to act as Agents in obtain-
ing subscriptions, and will be allowed Twenty Peb Cent. Com-
missions in lieu of Premiums or Club rates upon the amount of
such subscriptions, which may be deducted from remittances
when made.
Any person sending the names and money for foub subscri-
bers, at the regular price of subscription, two dollars per year,
will be entitled to receive an extra copy free.
STJBSCBIBMVS CHANGING. THEIR RESIDENCES, AND DESIBING A
CHANGE IN THEIR ADDBESS, MUST ALWAYS SEND THEIB OLD AS
WELL AS THEIB NKW ADDRESS.
Remittances for subscriptions may be made by mail, by post-
office order or registered letter, at the ri.-k of the Publisher, but
no responsibility will be assumed for money sent without such
precaution. On remittances of not less than five dollabs the
cost of the order or registration may be deducted from the
amount.
Advertisements are solicited, and will be inserted at reasonable
rates ; but no Advertisement will be inserted for less than One
Dollab per insertion.
All communications relating to or intended for THE TELE-
GRAPHER mutt be addressed to
J. N. ASHLEY, Publisher,
(P. O. Box 5503.) NEW YORK.
Justice to Military Telegraph Employes.
We print this week a communication from another
telegrapher, who. during the war, was employed in the
military service of the United States, in regard to an
appropriation by Congress of a land bounty to such
as served faithfully in that capacity.
An act was introduced in the last Congress by Mr.
Richie, who was a member of the House from Mary-
laud, and the subject was considerably discussed in
The Telegrapher at the time, but finally the Con-
gress expired and nothing was done with it. Our cor-
respondent "Agitator," in a recent number of this paper
again called attention to the matter, and it is beginning
to attract the notice of the parties interested.
"We are aware that the present is not a very favor-
able time to present claims for bouuty or recognition of
past services to Congress, but in this case the justice of
the claim is so clear and indisputable that it seems to
us a proper presentation of it would secure attention
even now.
In commenting on this matter in The Telegrapher
of May 11, 1872, we said " If any persons who were in
the United States military service during the war are
entitled to recognition, and a grant of land from Con-
gress, those who were in the telegraph service of the
army should not be neglected or overlooked. Many
of the telegraphers who were engaged in the military
telegraph service were exposed to greater hardships
and dangers than their associates in other departments,
and performed services of incalculable value and im-
portance. The safety of armies and the success of
most important military operations frequently depend-
ed upon the courage and fidelity of the military tele-
graphers, and they were never found wanting in zeal
or devotion to the national interests." "We do not
know that we can add anything to this presentation of
the case. The statements made are indisputable aud
never have been disputed, to our knowledge. "We
have heard of no special opposition to Mr. Richie's act
having been made, but our recollection of the matter is
that it failed for want of time, or from not having
been urged with sufficient energy by those who were
interested.
We have no donbt but that a proper presentation of
the claims of the military telegraphers would secure
recognition, and ultimately justice being done to them.
To effect this, however, there must be an organized
effort made; if possible some influential member should
be induced to take the matter up and present it pro-
perly to Congress, and his efforts should be supple-
mented by the petitions and personal exertions of as
many of the parties interested as can be reached at this
time.
Congress will remain in session at least until the lat-
ter part of next June, and perhaps longer, and if -a
move is made within the next month or six weeks it is
possible that something may be accomplished even at
the present session. To do this, however, will require
immediate personal effort on the part of those who are
concerned.
Believing the claims of the military telegraphers to
be just and equitable, The Telegrapher will hereafter,
as heretofore, support them to the extent of its ability
and influence, but without such effort as we have indi-
cated all that we may say or that our correspondents
may say on the subject will-have but little effect.
♦-•-♦
The Work of the Patent Office for 1873.— Pro-
posed Reforms in its Organization.
The Annual Report of the Commissioner of Patents
for the year 1873 has just been published, and is in
many respects a document of great interest, especially
to inventors. The gross receipts of the Patent Office
from all sources during the year was $703,199.77,
and the expenditures $691,178.98. The total number of
patents issued was 12,864. The greatest number of
patents (2.826) was granted to citizens of Few York
State, and the least number to Idaho and New Mexico,
each 1. Of course we are not surprised to find the in-
ventive faculty proportiuately more active in Connecti-
cut than elsewhere, being in the ratio of 1 patent to
every 864 inhabitants. New Mexico is at the other
extreme, the ratio there being 1 to every 91,874 inhabi-
tants. The total number of patents issued has varied
but little one way or the other from 13,000 per year for
the last seven years. The proportion of electrical
patents to the whole number during 1873 is a little
under 1- per cent.
Commissioner Leggett recommends a number of
amendments to the patent law of 1870, which experi-
ence has shown to be seriously defective in many
particulars, as many inventors have good reason to
know. One of the most important of the suggested
amendments is one making the duration of an
Ajnerican patent entirely independent of the
duration of any foreign patent to the same
person. Another is the repeal of an absurd
provision in the law of 1870, by which the assignee of
the entire interest in a patent, in order to secure a re-
issue, must first secure the signature and oath of the
inventor, if he be living. The. only purpose served by
this provision is to place-a means of extortion in the
hands of unprincipled assignors.
For the third time Commissioner Leggett called the
atteutiou of Congress to the necessity of a reorganiza-
tion of the Patent Office. There is no doubt whatever
of the substantial truth of the Commissioner's state-
ment that fully ninetenths of all the capital invested
in manufacturing in this country is thus invested be-
cause of the security afforded to it by patents. Hence
the importance of ascertaining correctly what is new
and useful in each application, and then limiting the
applicant's claims to precisely that of which he is really
the first inventor. While we consider that the Patent
Office, on the whole, has succeeded admirably in doing
its work in a creditable and satisfactory manner, in
spite of its defective organization, yet it is no less true,
as the Commissioner himself says, "that very many
" applications are hastily and carelessly examined ;
" very many patents are issued every year for subject
" matter not patentable; and applications are rejected
" upon which patents should be granted." We also
emphatically agree with him when he says : " It is
" well known that complaints from many sections of
" the country against our whole patent system arise
" almost exclusively from patents that have been im-
" properly granted, because of the want of proper
" supervision in their examination " — a supervision
which it is utterly impossible to secure under the sys-
tem now in vogue in the office.
The plan recommended by the Commissioner is that
of grouping the 145 classes in the office into nine divi-
sions, each division to be presided over by a competent
official, to review the work of his subordinates. " Such
" an organization," he says, " would relieve the coun-
" try of a large number of very annoying patents,
" which should never be granted, and will secure to
•' real inventors the products of their brain work with
" much greater certainty than is now done."
It is proposed to meet the somewhat greater ex-
pense of the .new system by a tax of perhaps twenty
dollars, to be paid in by the holders of ail patents, at
the expiration of six or even seven years from their
date. This would probably sweep away a great pro-
portion of the worthless aud disused patents, amount-
ing to perhaps 25 per cent, of the whole. The Com-
missioner says that " this tax would not be onerous
" upon the holders of patents possessing in themselves
" any real merit, and would be beneficial in extermi-
" nating Such as are without merit and stand in the
" way of substantial aud practical improvement."
We heartily endorse every one of the above recom-
mendations, as well as the concluding one, which is in
many respects the most important of all, that of estab-
lishing at Washington " a Court exclusively for the
" trial of patent cases, to be composed of men em-
" inent for their legal aud judicial talents, and also
" distinguished for their expert knowledge of the sub-
" jects presented in the trial of causes growing out of
" patents. This Court should be easy of access, always
" in session, aud the pleadings simple and direct. Its
" findings* of fact should be fiual ; its rulings on law
February 21, 18T4.J
THE TELEGRAPHER.
47
" points might be reviewed, upon proper application
"by the United States Supreme Court." The great
value to inventors and manufacturers of such a Court
is so obvious as to need no argument. It would greatly
enhance the actual money value of all meritorious
patents, and inventors would receive much greater en-
couragement, also, and remuneration than under the
present extremely defective system.
"We hope Congress may be induced at length to pay
some attention to the very common sense recommen-
dations of the Commissioner. The reforms urged by
him are imperatively necessary, and, if carried out,
would be worth millions of dollars to the manufactur-
ing and commercial interests of the country. But as
the interests of the country are apparently the very
last matters that this body of worthies are at all likely
to attend to, the prospect of an immediate reform is
not particularly encouraging. Still, it may be some
satisfactien to Gen. Leggett to know that his efforts
are appreciated by the large and worthy class whose
interests he so ably advocates, and we hope he may
continue to hammer away at the honorable members
till he accomplishes the desired result.
The Page Patent Litigation.
We have repeatedly referred to the litigation which
is in progress for the purpose of judicially determining
the validity or otherwise of the notorious Page patent
which practically covers nearly every method of tele-
graphy, except the Automatic, now used. The defend-
ants in the suits which have been brought by the "West-
ern Union Telegraph Company against the Manhattan
Quotation Company and Mr. Charles T. Chester, to
enforce this patent, have just filed their reply to the
complainants, in which the priority of invention claimed
by Prof. Page is very thoroughly examined, and shown
to be untenable.
"We know of nothing which is of more importance to
the telegraph interests of the country than the attempt
which is being made to reestablish a telegraph mono-
poly under this patent, and all parties should, without
delay, unite with the contestants in defeating this at-
tempt. The contest will, no doubt, be long and expen-
sive, and as an adverse decision will be of general and
great value, it is but just that those who are to be bene-
fited should contribute to secure it.
The Dominion Telegraph Company.
We publish this week the fifth annual report of the
Dominion Telegraph Company of Canada, from which
it will be seen that this company is proving highly suc-
cessful. It is proposed during the coming season to
largely extend its lines and increase its facilities, which is
imperatively demanded by the rapid increase of its busi-
ness. We. believe this company to be well and honestly
managed in the interests of its stockholders and the
public, and are gratified to learn of its continued and
increasing success and prosperity. '
An Enterprising Firm.
The attention of those who may have occasiou to
purchase telegraph instruments and apparatus, is called
to the advertisements of Messrs. Patrick Bunnell &
Co., of Philadelphia, which will be found in this num-
ber of The Telegrapher. This enterprising firm, we
are pleased to learn, are doing a very good business.
They deserve to succeed— the firm being composed of
practical telegraphers, well and favorably known to the
fraternity and the business public. They have receutly
enlarged their premises and increased their facilities, and
are now prepared to fill all orders promptly and satis-
factorily.
The address of Mr. Charles Mayne is desired. When
last heard of he was in Illinois. Any one who knows
"his present address is requested to address " Manager,
Western Union Telegraph, Cromwell, Iowa."
Mr. J. J. Frey, heretofore Superintendent of the Se-
dalia Division, has been appointed Superintendent of
Telegraph on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway,
with office at Parsons, Kansas.
Mr. E. 0. Martin has been transferred from the day
to the night force in the W. U. Chicago office.
Messrs. Wm. C. Long, Charles Fortier and George
Hall, of the Pacific and Atlantic Chicago, 111., office,
were, upon the consolidation of the lines with the West-
ern Union, transferred to the day force of the latter in
the Chicago office.
Mr. Ed. Dennis, formerly P. & A. night manager,
Chicago, 111., was transferred to the night force of the
W. U. office in that city.
Mr. H. Garner, formerly of the Chicago P. A. office,
has accepted a position as operator with the C. & 1ST. W.
Railway, Madison Division, at Tunnel ¥o. 3, North
End, Summit, Wisconsin.
Mr. K B. Walker has accepted a position as ope-
rator with the C. & N. W. Railway Co., Madison Divis-
ion, at Tunnel No. 3, South End, Summit, Wisconsin.
Mr. J. H. F. Scholl, formerly in the Traiu Despatch-
er's office of the Central Railroad of N. J., L & S. Divis-
ion, at Mauch Chunk, Pa., has accepted the position of
agent and operator for the U. P. Railroad, at Ogalalla,
Nebraska.
The Dominion Telegraph Company.
The annual meeting of the Dominion Telegraph
Company, of Canada, was held at the executive office
of the company in Toronto, Canada, on Wednesday,
February 11.
The Hon. John McMurrich, President, presided.
The Chairman said that the directors and officers of
the company had passed through another hard year's
work, but with much less anxiety than on former occa-
sions, as they had received more encouragement. He
felt that the shareholders would be satisfied with the
progress the company had made.
The fifth annual report of the directors was then read
by the Secretary, Mr. Small. They congratulated the
shareholders on the steady increase of business and pro-
fitable returns which the accounts exhibit, and the fair
prospects for the coming year.
" The company was organized, and the first Board
of Directors appointed in August, 1868. Seventeen
months after, at the close of 1869, the company had
been euabled to construct but 147 miles of single wire
line, and to open six offices in that period ; its growth
has been steady and most satisfactory. In the course
of the following year, 1870, the company had increased
their mileage to a total of 629 miles of pole line and
1,116 miles of wire, with 35 offices. At the close of
1871 the company, including the purchase of the Que-
bec line, possessed 1,510 miles of pole line, 2,933 of
wire, and 106 offices. During the course of the follow-
ing year, the pole line mileage had been increased to
2,177£ miles, the wire to 3,942 miles, with 164 offices.
"The new lines constructed during the year just
closed consist of the following: From Sarnia to Kent
Bridge, intersecting the London and Chatham line,
over 59 miles ; from Colliugwood to Owen Sound, 39
miles; from Trenton to Picton, 32 miles; from Whitby,
through Port Perry, to Little Britain, 36 miles ; from
Clinton, on the Goderich line, to Kincardine, 56 miles ;
from Brantford to the town of Simcoe and Port Dover,
33 miles ; from Mount Forest, through Durham and
Walkerton, to Kincardine, 50 miles ; from Mount Forest
to Harriston, 10 miles; and a short connection between
Ottawa and Aylmer, making in all about 400 miles of
new extension, with 633 miles of wire. These additions
bring tip the addition of the company's pole mileage to
2,585 miles, with 4,574 miles of wire and 251 offices.
" A portion of this increase of wire mileage has arisen
from the addition of extra wire on lines already con-
structed, rendered necessary by the increased business
of the company; and still further provision will have
to be made in this direction, partly by additional wires
on existing lines, aud partly by new lines on fresh
routes, not only to increase the scope of the company's
business by embracing fresh districts where these lines
are called for, but also to add to the facilities of exist-
ing communications between the business portions of
the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec. The general
manager has prepared with great care a sketch of the
extensions referred to above, which it is most desirable
should be provided for with as little delay as possible
while the season is favorable for getting out poles.
"To make provision for these, contemplated exten-
sions a fresh issue of stock will be necessary, and the
directors recommend that authority for this purpose be
granted to the extent not exceeding $100,000 for the
year 1874, to be floated from time to time as the new
works are proceeded with."
In conclusion, the directors express their satisfaction
at the manner in which the General Manager, Mr. J. D.
Purkis, continues to discharge the important duties of his
position, aud with the zeal and energy of the Secretary,
Mr. Small.
The report of the General Manager, Mr. J. D. Purkis,
was then read. He calls attention to the fact that, at
least 500 miles of poles and 1,000 miles of wire will be
required to be put up the coming season to meet the
growing business, as well as to open up new routes and
new offices in the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
He continues:
" Tou are aware that greater facilities are becoming
more necessary every year to meet the steadily increas-
ing requirements of the mercantile community and the
press ; and, in order to provide for these and to advance
our own interests, we must continue our extensions aud
increase our wires. Tou are aware that the more ex-
tended our lines are the less will be the ratio of working
expenses, and I have no hesitation in saying that the
sooner your lines are extended, not only through On-
tario and Quebec, but the Lower Provinces, the greater
will be your success ; but it has not been my aim to
advise larger extensions during any season than I have
felt we could place in proper working order.
" In order that the contractor may avail himself of
the winter season to procure the poles, and to give time
to import the necessary wire, it is most desirable that
arrangements should be come to at once, or with as lit-
tle delay as possible.
" So far, our success has been such that I feel confi-
dent you will cheerfully accede to my request, and pro-
vide the necessary means to carry it out."
With the exception of the interruption caused by the
almost unprecedented storm of Dec. 23, 1873, and the
sleet storm of Jan. 7th aud 8th last, which did a great
deal of temporary damage, but was repaired with all
possible energy and despatch, the wires have worked
during the past year with great regularity, and the
lines are now throughout in good condition.
He closes his report with a graceful and deserved
compliment to his assistants and the employes and
agents of the company generally, who have, he says,
" worked heartily and faithfully for the interests of the
company."
A comparative statement of the number of messages
sent during the years 1872 and 1873, showing au in-
crease'of 88,579 messages for the latter over the pre-
vious year.
The report of the directors was accepted after some
remarks of satisfaction on the part of gentlemen pre
sent at its favorable character, and a motion "That
the directors are hereby authorized to make a fresh is-
sue of stock, not to exceed $100,000, as asked for in the
report," was carried.
Mr. Mackenzie, in commenting upon the report, said
there was one difficulty which he could not see his way
out of. By contracts between the railroads and the
Montreal Telegraph Company the latter had secured ex-
clusive right of way over their routes. It was very de-
sirable and almost essential that this company should,
especially when its lines were extended into the Mari-
time Provinces, have a similar privilege. He thought
that the law of the country ought to give an equal right
to all to coustmct telegraph lines along the railways.
"The honorable Treasurer of Ontario has at present an
amendment to the railways act before the local Legis-
lature, and he thought the directorate of this company
ought to consult with the Government upon this sub-
ject. He had no doubt but that, in justice to the coun-
try, they would give the amendment asked for. The
importance of the subject would justify their approach-
ing all the provincial governments with a similar re-
quest. He did not see why one telegraph company
should be given a monopoly over another, or why
two foreign express companies should be privileged
to the virtual exclusion of companies which we could
organize ourselves."
After further debate a motion was made by Mr. Mac-
kenzie, which was carried, " That the Board of Direc-
tors be requested to enter into immediate communica
tion with the Dominion and Provincial Governments
for the purpose of securing to all telegraph companies
in the Dominion the privilege of laying down their
lines upon the different railways in the Dominion, and
having the same facilities afforded to all on equal
terms."
Sheriff Waddell moved a hearty vote of thanks to
the President, Vicc-Prosidont/jTroasurer aud Directors,
for their attention to the interests of the company dur-
ing the past year, which was carried.
The following gentlemen were then declared unani-
mously elected Directors for the present year:
Hon. John McMurrich, John J.Mackenzie, James
Michie, Hon. Wm. Cay ley, Lewis Moffat, Hon. T. N .
Gibbs, S. Neelon, A. Copp and Wm. F. McMaster.
At a subsequent meeting of the now Board tho Hon.
John McMurrich was reelected President; Mr. John J.
Mackenzie;, of Hamilton, Vice-President; Mr. James
Michie, Treasurer, and Messrs. M. II. Cault, of Mon-
treal, and A. Joseph, of Quebec, were reappointed local
Directors for the Province of Quebec.
An Electric BELLE.— ■ A female telegraph operator.
The best investment for a telegrapher. — Two dollars
for a subscription to The Telegrapher,
4S
THE TELEGRAPHER
[February 21, UU.
NT, )
Enlargement and Improvement of the Indianapo-
lis, lid., Western Union Telegraph
Office.
The Western Union Company in this city has re-
cently doubled the space occupied by the operating,
receiving and Superintendent's departments. The ope-
rators liave been removed to the fourth floor, corner
room, which is well lighted, cheerful, and a great im-
provement over the old one. Callaud batteries have
taken the place of the Grove, some eight hundred cells
beiug in use, divided into eight main batteries. Inclu-
ding duplex and repeaters there are about forty instru-
ments in the operating room, the whole in charge of
Mr. Winder, as chief, with Messrs Langhorne and Ful-
ler as assistants.
The work of changing operating and battery rooms
was done under the supervision of Mr. C. H. Summers,
the company's electrician.
Mr. Whitney remains as right bower to Sup't Wal-
lick, assisted "by Hinsdale and Moulton, both big
trumps.
Manager Butler is happy with Thomas at the books;
Barnard as receiver, and Swain in charge of delivery.
Brisbane bosses batteries, and John Hasty keeps the
spurs of his climbers bright, and things straight gener-
ally.
♦ »»
Bold Forgery of an Official Announcement of In-
crease of Western Union Stock.
On Tuesday afternoon an intense excitement was
created on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange by
the announcement of a proposed increase of the stock of
the Western Union Telegraph Company to $50,000,000
—an addition to the existing capital of $9,000,000.
A few minutes before one o'clock P. M. a messenger
boy — one of the regular uniformed messengers of the
Stock Exchange — handed a letter to Yice-President
Wheelock, who read out the announcement that the
Western Union Telegraph Company had increased their
capital stock from $41,073,410 to $50,000,000.
The letter was as follows :
"Western Union Telegraph Company
New York, Feb. 17, 1874
Moses H. Wheelock, Esq., Yice-President New York
Stock Exchange :
As required by the rules of the New York Stock
Exchange, you are hereby iufprmed that the Directors
of this company, after mature deliberation, and acting,
as they believe, in accordance with the ultimate best
interests of the company, have decided to increase the
capital stock of this company from $41,073,410 to
$50,000,000. The proceeds of the sale of the additional
stock, together with the proceeds of the sale of $7,295,235
of stock lately in the possession of the company, will
be expended in the repairs .and improvement of the
present lines, and the extension of the lines of the-com-
pany to nearly all the post-offices in the United States,
and for the establishment of a line to California and
Mexico. The Directors beg to state that while the es-
tablishment of new lines may delay for a little the ex-
pected dividends to stockholders, they express a confi-
dent hope that by thus taking possession of the whole
field, and effectually thwarting the establishment of a
rival company, the ultimate value of the stock will be
in no way diminished, and that reasonable dividends
can be paid at no distant day. Yours truly,
William Orton, President.'^
This letter was written on the official paper of the
Western Union Company. Directly after the reading
of the above by Mr. Wheelock a second letter was
handed to him, purporting to be from the President of
the Toledo, Wabash and Western Eailway Company,
also announcing an increase of $10,000,000 of the com-
mon stock of that company. This letter, like the first,
was written on the official paper of the company.
The reading of these letters at once created intense
excitement, and there was a tremendous pressure to sell
stocks, especially of the two companies affected.
Two or three brokers, who were not carried away by
the excitement, carefully examined the letters and at
once pronounced them forgeries. The officers of the
Exchange sent letters to the officers of the two com-
panies, and soon obtained the following from President
Orton, of the Western Union Company :
" New York, Feb. 17, 1874.
H. G. Chapman, Esq., President New York Stock Ex-
change :
I have just learned an announcement has been made
in the Stock Exchange that the Directors of the Western
Union Telegraph Company have recently voted to in-
crease the capital stock to $50,000,000. This announce-
ment has no foundation in fact. No meeting of the Direc-
tors has been held for several months, nor has the matter
of the increase of the capital stock ot the company been
a subject of consideration at any meeting of the Execu-
tive Committee. Eespectfully,
William Orton, President."
Information was also received from the transfer clerk
of the T. W. and W. Eailway that the notification of
increase of capital of that company was a forgery, and
the excitement subsided.
In the meantime the shares of the Western Union
Telegraph Company had declined nearly four per cent. ;
and, doubtless, the rascals who had concocted and car-
ried out the nefarious scheme had managed to profit
largely by the successful trick.
The Governing Committee of the Stock Exchange
have taken measures to ferret out the villains, who,
if detected, will be made to suffer for their villany.
President Orton stated to a reporter who interviewed
him on the subject, after the excitement was over,
that the company had no intention of increasing its
capital stock, and has not had.
Foreign Telegraphic Notes.
The total number of messages forwarded from postal
telegraph stations in the United Kingdom for the week
ended Jan. 24, 1874, was 324,600 — aii increase of 35,-
427, on the corresponding week last year.
The West India and Panama Telegraph Company
have been informed by Sir Samuel Canning, their engi-
neer, of the successful completion by the Telegraph
Construction and Maintenance Company of their dupli-
cate cable between Jamaica and Porto Eico, and they
state that the interruption on the Cuba Company's
cable — the repair of which they hope to see announced
in a few days — is now the only obstacle to direct tele-
graphic communication with the West Indies.
The Eastern Telegraph Company announce that their
direct cable between Cornwall and Lisbon is inter-
rupted, but messages are sent as usual by the duplicate
line between these points via Yigo.
The final meetiug of the United Kingdom Telegraph
Company, for the purpose of receiving the report of the
liquidator, and for winding up the company — its lines
having been taken over by the Government as part of
the postal telegraph system— was held at the Loudon
Tavern on the 26th of January. The balance sheet
was unanimously accepted, and the chairman declared
the company completely wound up.
Married.
Cadmus— Babkalow.— On Tuesday, Feb. 17, 1874, at the resi-
dence of the bride's father, by Rev. H. M. Taylor, Charles A.
Cadmus, of the Western Union Telegraph Co., Cleveland, Ohio,
to Annie E. Barkalow, daughter of Moses V. and Cornelia Bark-
alow, of Franklin, Warren Co., Ohio.
Faling— Barrett. — In the City of Portland, Oregon, at the
residence of the officiating clergyman. Rev. T. L. Elliott, Mr.
Charles D. Faling, Supt. Telegraph O. & C. R. R., to Miss
Xaripa J. Barrett, all of Portland.
It is evident that the bridegroom's name is indication of his
disposition; but who can blame him for having a "failing," as
regards the young lady who has favored him with a " permanent
connection," and, no doubt, he will be able to "barrett" not only
with equanimity but pleasure. A solitary life must certainly, |
under the circumstances, have proved an unpardonable "failing "
on hispart had he continued it longer. May they live long and
happily together with few "crosses" and no "breaks" to
trouble them.
Jones — Dike. — Mr. F. W. Jones, Asst. Chief Operator Wtstern
Union office, Chicago, 111., to Miss Eliza Bike, operator in the
tame office.
Stewart — Scwalka. — At Yreka, California, January 28, 1874,
Mr. Granville Q. Stewart, of Yreka office, of the Western
Union Telegraph Co., to Miss Jennie .Scwalka, all of Yerka.
The matrimonial epidemic among the Pacific CoaBt telegraph-
ers seems to be spreading. They evidently realize the fact
that ''It is not meet that man should live alone," and it is cer-
tainly an act of kindness on the part of the lady to take compas-
sion on the loneliness of a telegraphic artist. May others find
sufficient provocation to do likewise for such members of the
fraternity as have not yet been provided with matrimonial en-
gagements.
» • ♦
Died.
Harris. — At St. Paul, Minnesota, January 31, 1874, in the 24th
year of his age, of hemorrhage of the lungs, George Harris,
formerly Manager of the Pacific and Atlantio Telegraph Com-
pany in that city.
I thought my cup of grief was full,
But now it's running o'er,
Though I know my children are not dead,
But only gone before.
Three little ones were called away
To join the angel throng,
And now another loved one's gone
To swell the heavenly song.
My noble son gave up his life
To God, the just and right ;
He did not live to suffer long-
God took him from our sight.
His Mother.
Obituary.
GEORGE HARRIS.
The deceased, although but in his twenty-fourth year when he
died, had been engaged in the telegraph business from his
nfteeuth year. He was a very excellent young man and a good
telegrapher. His last telegraphic position was as manager of
the St. Paul, Minn., office of the Pacific and Atlantic Telegraph
Company, which position he filled acceptably and creditably to
himself and the company.
In April of last year he was taken with hemorrhage of the
lungs, for which he could not succeed in obtaining relief, and in
September last, by advice of physicians, went to California, but
not apparently receiving, much benefit, he returned to St. Paul.
After his return for a time he seemed somewhat better, but
gradually declined, and for the last four weeks of his lite was
unable to leave his bed.
He was beloved by those who were associated with him in
business, and, so far as is known, he haa no enemies. His funeral
took place Feb. 3, from St. Mary's Church, St. Paul, and an affect-
ing funeral sermon was preached by Rev. L. Cailet.
The deceased always felt much interested in The Telegrapher,
urging it upon the attention and support of those with whom he
was associated, and occasionally contributing to its columns.
He leaves a kind and affectionate mother, who is greatly afflicted
at his death, and who has the sympathy of all who knew her
son.
[From the N. Y. Tribune and N. Y. Evening Post.]
THE AMERICAN AUTOMATIC TELE-
• GRAPH.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
The AMERICAN AUTOMATIC TELEGRAPH SYSTEM is now
being operated in the United States of America by the AUTO-
MATIC TELEGRAPH CuMPANY, under an agreement with a
temporary license granted by me, the undersigned (on record in
United States Patent Office, Liber J, 17, page 73, Oct. 21, 1873).
I am ready to assign (conditionally) to responsible parties one
undivided fourth part of all the foreign patents (including Cana-
da) now in my possession. GEORGE LITTLE, C. E., Assignee
and Sole Patentee, Bloomfield ave., Passaic City, N. J., U. S. of
America.
T
O TELEGRAPH SUPERINTENDENTS.
If you are fitting up SHORT LINES or CITY WIRES get
PARTRICK, BUNNELL & CO.'S
CHAMPION SETS.
They are complete, full sized, work beautifully, don't get out
of order, are substantial, pretty, and very low priced. Send for
TTTILLIAM BKOWNLEE,
Dealer in
CEDAE TELEGEAPH POLES,
DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
NEW GALVANIC BATTERY
Durability, Efficiency, and Economy of Expense
and Labor at last Secured.
THE EAGLES METALLIC BATTEKY.
PATENT APPLIED FOR.
The undersigned having secured the exclusive Agency for the
manufacture and sale of the
EAGLES METALLIC BATTERY,
now offer them to the public as the best Battery for Telegraphic
and other purposes yet devised.
The Battery cell is made of lead, and forms one pole of the
battery. Sulphate of copper is the only chemical required to be
used.
These Batteries have been fully tested during the last year,
although only recently offered for sale, and have proved to be
superior to any other as regards efficiency, economy and dura-
bility. When once set up they require no attention for from
four to six months, according to the service required of them.
Two sizes are made at present, but others will soon be ready.
No. 1 is a large square cell, and can be used as a local or for
rnnning motors. Price, $2.25.
On Locals, one No. 1 cell is used in place of two Daniells, at a
saving of nearly one half in cost.
No. 2 is a round cell, designed for main line. Price, $2.
Descriptive circulars and price list forwarded upon applica
tion to
P. L. POPE & CO.,
(P. O. Box 6603.)
3JS TESET 8TKEET, If. T.
February 21, 1814.1
THE TELEGRAPHER.
in
Anson Stageii,
Pres't.
Elibha Gray,
Sup't.
Enos M. Barton,
Sec'y.
w
ESTERN ELECTRIC MANUFACTUR-
ING COMPANY. •
ANIC PRICES.
No. 220 KINZIE STREET, CHICAGO.
TELEGRAPH, WIEES, INSTRUMENTS,
BATTERIES, TOOLS,
INSULATORS and SUPPLIES.
Annunciators for Hotels, Steamships, Dwellings.
Our Annunciators are the most extensively used and the most
perfect in operation.
Automatic Mercury Fire Alarm, for Hotels, Steam-
ships, Public Buildings.
Five years' operation have proved its merits.
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
HAMBLET'S ELECTEO-MAGNETIC WATCH CLOCKS AND
TIME DIALS.
Western Electric M'f'g Co., Chicago.
TELEaEAPH WIRE , Numbers 8, 9 and 12.
UNION BRAND, AND
UNION BRAND EXTRA QUALITY.
JOHNSON'S WIRE.
BROOKS' INSULATORS, GLASS INSULA-
TORS and BRACKETS.
KENOSHA INSULATORS, all kinds.
PAINTED CROSS-ARMS.
KENOSHA CROSS-ARMS.
OFFICE WIRE, many varieties.
COPPER & COMPOUND KERITE WIRE.
CABLES TO ORDER.
Western Electric M'f'g Co., Chicago.
L
ECLANCHE BATTERIES.
CAUTION.
All persons are hereby notified that Batteries Infringing upon
our patents are in the market (some of them nearly worthless).
The public are warned against using any such infringements, as
in every case the guilty parties will be prosecuted to the fullest
extent of the law. The genuine Batteries have the words "Pile
Leclanch6 " on the carbons and glasses. Any information con-
cerning such infringements will be thankfully received by the
Lkolanche Battery Co.,
.Yo. 10 West fSl/i Street.
New York, October 11, 1873.
N"
T I C E .
In order to save Express Charges to numerous customers for
our "Champion Learner's and Short Line Apparatus,"
we are about establishing various agencies throughout the coun-
try, a list of which will soon be published. Those wisiing Agen-
cies will please send at once for circulars and terms.
PARTRICK BUNNELL & CO.,
38 South 4th St.,
Philadelphia.
OUR PROFITS HAVING BEEN AMPLE,
WE OFFER OUR CUSTOMERS THE
BENEFITS OF THE RECENT
REDUCTION
IN THE COST OF LABOR AND MATERIAL.
ALL WHO NEED
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS and SUPPLIES,
IN
Large or Small Quantities,
WILL CONSULT THEIR OWN INTERESTS BY PURCHASING
FROM US.
SEND FOR OUR NEW PRICE LIST.
A Special Discount given on Cash Purchases.
GEO. H BLISS & CO.,
41 THIRD A VENUE,
Chicago, 111.
Gr E0 '
H. BLISS & CO.,
41 THIRD AVENUE,
Chicago, III.
TELEGRAPHIC, ELECTRICAL AND MEDICAL APPARATUS.
for KIDDER'S MEDICAL APPARATUS.
" AMERICAN COMPOUND WIRE.
" JONES' LOCK SWITCH BOARD.
" ROBERTSON'S BATTERY INSULATOR.
" HILL'S GRAVITY BATTERY.
" HILL'S HOTEL ANNUNCIATOR and FIRE ALARM.
" MCPHERSON'S IRON BATTERY.
" THE AMATEUR TELEGRAPH APPARATUS.
" PUTT'S MECHANICAL INSTRUMENTS.
" KENOSHA INSULATOR.
" BROOKS'
" UNITED STATES ELECTRIC GAS LIGHTING COM-
PANY.
" POPE'S RAILWAY SIGNALS.
" EAGLES METALLIC (RESERVOIR) BATTERY.
" SELDEN'S PRINTERS.
" ANDERS' MAGNETIC DIAL AND PRINTER.
IMPROVED AMATEUR SOUNDERS.
AN EXTRA FINISHED AND GOOD WORKING SOUNDER,
No. 3 $4 00
A WELL FINISHED AND GOOD WORKING SOUNDER,
No. 4 3 00
A WELL FINISHED AND GOOD WORKING KEY, No. 4. 4 00
Instruments, Line Material, Office Wire, Magnet Wire, Tools,
Battery Material, Chemicals, Hooks, Stationery,
constantly on hand.
*S~ Special attention glv«n to REPAIRS and MODEL WORK.
w.
HOCHHAUSEN,
Manufacturer of
ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS,
132 WILLIAM STREET (rear),
Between Fulton and John Streets, NEW YORK.
m
One half of actual size
ELECTRIC BELL,
PATENT SELF-CLOSING KET,
(Patented October 27, 1873.)
Price.... $5 50
The lever of this Key swings in two directions, vertical and
horizontal. A spring presses it against an adjustable contaot
point on right hand side.
In sending with this key take hold of the knob and move to the
left, this opens the circuit, then operate in the ordinary way. As
soon as released the lever swings back against side contact point,
closing the circuit.
The Platina Points are large and hard.
Self-Starting Register, of new design, protected by a Glass
Shade, complete, with Paper Reel and Weight. . $60 00
Sounders, from 4 50 to $6 50
Electric Bells, single stroke or continuous ringing,
from 5 00 to 8 00
Relays, from 9 50 to 16 00
Improved Switch Keys, from 3 00 to 5 50
Send for Illustrated Circulars.
The above may also be had of F. L. POPE & CO., 38 Vesey street.
New York, at Manufacturer's prices.
JEROME REDDING & CO.,
30 HANOVER STREET, BOSTON,
MANUFACTURERS and dealers in
A FULL ASSORTMENT OF TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
CONSTANTLY ON HAND.
Telegraph, Magnet, Office, and other Insulated Wires,
INSULATORS, BRACKETS.
PATENT ELECTRIC WATCH-CLOCK
THE BEST IN USE.
ELECTRIC BELLS AND ANNUNCIATORS,
At prices which defy competition.
Batteries of Every Description,
At unusually low prices.
Battery Carbons all sizes, with Improved Connection
Medical Batteries from $4 Upwards.
ALL GOO'DS 7VAllliAJV2L>D JFISSX CLASS,
AND PRICES EXTREMELY LOW.
SEND FOR PRICE LIST.
1 ^00 0PEI
±,0\J\J GERS
OPERATORS AND MANA-
WANTED
TO BUY, SELL, RECOMMEND AND ACT AS AGENTS FOR
PARTRICK BUNNELL & CO'S
CHAMPION LEARNER'S AND SHORT LINE APPARATUS.
SEND FOR CIRCULARS,
IV
THE TELEGRAPHER,
[February 21, 1814.
A
MERICAN FIRE ALARM AND
POLICE TELEGRAPH.
GAME WELL & CO.. Proprietors,
62 BROADWAY, NEW YORK.
3. W. STOVER,
General Agent and Superintendent.
L. B. FIRMAN, Chicago, 111.,
General Agent for the West and North- West.
J R. DO WELL, Richmond. Va„
Special Agent for Virginia and North Carolina.
A. BRENNER, Augusta, Ga.,
Special Agent for Georgia and South Carolina,
L. M. MONBOE, New Canaan, Conn.,
Special Agent for New England,
ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE CO.,
San Francisco, Cal„
Special Agents for California, Oregon and Nevada.
XEIS SYSTEM OF
FIRE ALARM & POLICE TELEGRAPH
WITH A CENTRAL. OFFICE,
OB
UPON THE AUTOMATIC PLAN,
Is now In operation in the following Cities, to which reference is
made for evidence of its great
SUPERIORITY, VALUE
AND
UNIFORM RELIABILITY.
aiDany, N. ¥.,
Alleghany, Fa.,
Boston, Mass.,
Bridgeport, Oonn.
Buffalo, N. Y.,
Baltimore, Md.,
Chicago, 111. ,
Cincinnati, Ohio,
Columbus, Ohio,
Cambridge, Mass.,
Charlestown, Mass.,
Covington, Ky.,
Detroit, Mich.,
Dayton, Ohio,
Elizabeth, N.J. ,
Fall River, Mass.
Fitchburg, Mass.,
Hartford, Conn.,
Indianapolis, Ind.
Jersey City, N. J.,
Louisville, Ky.,
Lowell, Mass.,
Lawrence, Mass.,
Lynn, Mass.,
Mobile, Ala.,
Montreal, Canada,
Milwaukee, Wis.,
New York City,
New Orleans, La.,
New Bedford, Mass.,
New Haven, Conn.,
Newark, N. J.,
Omaha, Neb.,
Philadelphia, Pa.,
Pittsburg, Pa.,
Portland, Maine,
Peoria, 111.,
Providence, R. I.,
Quebec, L. 0.,
Rochester, N. Y.,
Richmond, Va.;
St. Louis, Mo.
St. John, N. B.,i
Springfield, Mass.,
San Francisco, Cal.,
Savannah, Ga. ,
Syracuse, N. Y.,
Troy, N. Y.,
Taunton, Mass.,
Toledo, Ohio,
Toronto, Canada,
Washington, D. 0.,
Worcester, Mass.
tne Distinctive Features of these Systems of
Fire Alarm and Police Telegraphs
ABE,
First — Tne Automatic Repeater, through whicli the
apparatus may be distributed in a combination of circuits, and
the entire system successfully worked, without the constan t per-
sonal attention of either operators or watchmen.
Second — Tile Automatic Signal Boxes.
Third— The Electro-Mechanical Bell Strikers,
adapted to produce the full tone of the largest church or tower
bells.
Fourth— The Electro-Mechanical Gong Striker,
for hose and engine houses, by means of which the location of
the Are Is instantaneously communicated to the members of
each fire company.
These Features combined form the
Only PERFECT, COMPLETE and RELIABLE System
OP
FIRfi ALARM TELEGRAPH
IN THE WORLD.
It la a sufficient vindication of the claims which are made by
the Proprietors of these systems of
FIRE ALARM
AND
POLICE TELEGRAPHS,
that they have sustained the test of more than twenty years of
practical use, and that the efforts which have been repeatedly
made to supplant them by other inventions have
COMPLETELY FAILED;
the few instances in which municipalities have been induced to
adopt other systems having demonstrated their insufficiency
and unreliability, and resulted in their abandonment, and sub.
stitution therefor of the
AMERICAN FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH.
Messrs. GAME WELL & CO. are the owners of the
original FARMER & CHANNING PATENTS, one of the most
Important of which has just been extended for seven years, and
during the past seventeen years have spared no expense or effort
to secure Improvements, and the Systems are now covered by
MORE THAN TWENTY PATENTS.
The most important improvement which the Proprletois have
adopted and introduced is the
AUTOMATIC SYSTEM,
tne introduction and operation of which involves so lit! le ex-
pense, compared to the benefit which it confers, that even small
communities can profitably adopt and maintain it.
The American System of
PIRE ALAEM AND POLICE TELEGEAPHS
has met with the universal approbation and commendation of
the
People, Municipal Authorities,
AND THE
PRESS
throughout the UNITED STATES and CANADA.
NO EFFORT, TROUBLE OR EXPENSE
is spared by the Proprietors to obtain and secure ANY POS-
SIBLE IMPROVEMENT which shall increase the
EFFICIENCY,
BELIABILITT and
ECONOMY
of the system. They intend that, as far as possible, it shall be
ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!
The amount of property which has been saved from di struc-
tion, and the number of lives which have been preserved
through the general adoption of this system, throughout the
UNITED STATES and the DOMINION of CANADA,
CANNOT EASILY BE ESTIMATED,
but that, in every community where it has been introduced for
any considerable length of time, they have been enormous, thbee
CAN BE NO QUESTION.
The cooperation of TELEGRAPHERS in securing its in-
troduction into their localities is cordially invited, and
their efforts will be duly appreciated and
compensated.
Any information desired in regard to the above
system will be cheerfully and promptly furnished
upon application at the office.
A pamphlet, setting forth more fully its advantages and
superiority, has been printed, and will be supplied to Municipal
Authorities and others interested in Fire Alarm and Police Tele-
gcaphfr, upos application m afcove.
c
CHARLES T. CHESTER,
104 Centre Street,
NEW YORK,
TELEGRAPH ENGINEER,
AND MANUFACTURER OF
INSTRUMENTS
BATTERIES,
AND EVEBI DESCRIPTION OF
TELEGRAPH SUPPLIES.
BUNNELL'S PATENT REPEATER.
These instruments are now made in two different styles, at
$120 and $135 a set, consisting of two Relays, two Sounders, two
Keys and Governor.
JONES' LOCK SWITCH-BOARD,
a most compact and reliable Switch, forming a clean spring-
locked connection between any number of wires, occupying for
each different connection only one square inch of space, and
though made of the largest size, not subject to the warp and
contraction of wood-work.
EXCLUSIVE AGENTS OF
A. G. DAY'S
KERITE,
OB
COMPOUND RUBBER COVERED WIRE
SUBTERRANEAN & jERIAL WIRES,
OF THE
HIGHEST INSULATION.
Wearenow prepared tofurnish, after an experience of threa
years, an Insulated Wire which can be burled in the earth or
exposed to rain and sun, or to the vapor of acids, without injury .
Professor Silliman, who has exposed it to the most destructive
agencies, flnds that it remains uninjured in an atmosphere of
ozone, which would destroy gutta-percha in a few hours. It
exceeds glass or any other known substance as a non-conductor
We have made special arrangements to furnish this article
for office purposes at a reduced rate.
ALSO, TO FURNISH
IRON CLAD CABLES,
of the usual size, with KERITE COVER, believing that it will
exceed, in insulation for submarine purposes, ANYTHING
HITHERTO MANUFACTURED.
We shall be happy to furnish estimates for any amount and
size of cable, which will be found to compete with any other
construction, both in quality and price.
We manufacture the Genuine ELEOTROPOION BATTERY,
with Patent Platina Connection, Introduced by us eight years
since; also, THE ALPHABETICAL OR DIAL TELEGRAPH,
now extensively used in this and other cities for private lines,
beingeasily and quiokly learned by*any one.
We offer for sale, among other novelties,* SOUNDEK that
will w >rk practically with a single Daniell cell, a BATTERY
that does not require to be taken down but once a year, and the
very beat MAIN LINE SOUNDERS made
Our CATALOGUE, embracing a large amount of new matter
and description, is now ready for distribution.
February 21, 1874.]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
B
ROOKS' PATENT TELEGRAPH
INSULATOR WORKS,
AND AGENCY FOB THE «*T.Tf. 07
Siemens' Universal Galvanometer,
Resistance Coils, Submarine Cables,
AND EVERY VARIETY OF
Electro-Metrical Apparatus Manufactured by Siemens Bros.
DAVID BEOOKS, Proprietor,
22 South Twenty-first Street, PHILADELPHIA.
THE PATENT INSULATOR.
This invention was first introduced into public use in 1867,
and now hundreds, without exception, attest its perfection as an
Insulator ; also its economy over all others when maintenance is
included with first cost.
Siemens' Universal Galvanometer,
This instrument for the measurement of ordinary resistances,
such as relays, sounders, conductivity of line wires, insulation,
&C stands unrivalled for simplicity and correctness, and is now
the standard instrument for such work in all countries.
Siemens' Submarine Cables, Cables for Eiver Cross-
ings of every description,
AND
Insulated Conductors.
These Cables are unexcelled in construction, and can be pro-
cured in less time and at about half the cost of those manufac-
tured in this country.
A
SUPERIOR PRINTING TELEGRAPH
INSTRUMENT,
FOE PKIVATE AND SHOET LINES.
Awarded the First Premium,— Silver Medal— over all others at
Cincinnati Industrial Exposition, 1872.
The undersigned is now prepared to supply the improved and
■uperior
PRINTING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
manufactured under the patent of Mr. J. E. SELDEN. This
instrument has already been extensively introduced, and has
given complete satisfaction to all who have adopted and used it.
It is simple, reliable, and riot liable to get out of order; can be
operated by any person of ordinary intelligence after a few
minutes' instruction and practice.
PEIYATE LINES
constructed in the best and most substantial manner, and on
reasonable terms.
Favorable arrangements will be made with line constructors,
telegraph employes, &c, for the introduction of the Printer.
For further particulars, terms, &c, apply to
MEEOHANTS' MANUFACTURING AND
00NSTEU0TI0N CO.
S. J. BURRELL, Superintendent,
No. 50 BROAD STREET (Rooms 12, 13 & 14).
P. O. BOS 496.
A
MERICAN COMPOUND
TELEGRAPH LINE WIRE.
COPPER FOE, CONDUCTIVITY.
STEEL FOR STRENGTH.
The superiority of the COMPOUND TELEGRAPH WIRE,
compared with iron, consists in its lightness, reducing by over
fifty per cent, the number of poles and insulators required.
Relative tensile strength, homogeneity and elasticity de-
creasing the liability to breakage from cold weather, sleet, etc.
Conductivity— insuring great improvement in the working of
lines in any condition of the weather.
And in its dubabilit?, which greatly exceeds that of the best
galvanized iron wire.
Altogether resulting in a very great reduction in the cost of
maintaining and working telegraph lines, while, at the same
time. Insuring
EFFICIENCY AND RELIABILITY.
Address —
American Compound Telegraph Wire Co.,
ALANSON GARY. Treasurer,
No. 234 West 20th St.,
New York.
M
AGNETO-ELECTRIC ALPHABETICAL
DIAL TELEGRAPH,
FOB
RAILROADS, GAS COMPANIES AND PRIVATE BUSI-
NESS PURPOSES GENERALLY.
MANCFACTXTBED BY
HOWARD WATCH AND CLOCK CO.
E. HOWARD, k CO., Proprietors.
J. HAMBLET, Electrician.
OFFICES:
114 TREMONT STREET, BOSTON, Mass.
IS MAIDEN LANE, NEW TORE..
This Instrument is offered to the public as the oldest, most
rapid, and best.
MAGNETO-DIAL TELEGRAPH
In the world.
It has already been extensively adopted and has invariably
given entire satisfaction.
They also manufacture and put up
THE ELECTRO-MAGNETIC WATCH CLOCK,
which is the best watchman's time recorder in the world. Also,
ELECTRIC AND CONTROLLED CLOCKS
of aU kinds,
CHRONOGRAPHS,
ASTRONOMICAL CLOCKS,
REGULATORS,
ETC., ETC.,
OF ALL KINDS.
All instruments and work from this establishment guaranteed
to give satisfaction.
F
L. POPE & CO.,
MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS IN
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS AND SUPPLIES
OF
EVERY DESCRIPTION,
38 VESEY STREET, New York.
NEW AND SUPERIOR PATTERNS OF
STANDARD TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS.
These Instruments are elegantly designed, thoroughly well
finished, and scientifically adapted to the service required.
RELAYS,
SOUNDERS,
REGISTERS and KEYS.
In addition to these we furnish all descriptions of telk-
GBAPH MATERIAL AND StTPPLIES, Such as
BATTERIES, INSULATED WIRES, CHEMICALS
of all kinds, etc., etc.
THE NONPAREIL TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT,
For Amateurs and Learners, and Short Lines.
GLOBE LTQ-HCTIsrilSrO- .A-ZRHESTIERS-
Bradley's Apparatus for Electrical Measurement.
We are the Agents for the sale of this new and very superior
Instrument for Electrical Measurement.
BRADLEY'S BOX RELAYS AND SOUNDERS.
BRADLEY'S NAKED WIRE HELICES AND MAGNET
SPOOLS,
of any desired size and resistance, will be supplied upon orders
through us, at the Manufacturer's lowest prices.
Also, Agents for
HOCHHAUSEN'S SUPERIOR LOW PRICED TELEGRAPH
INSTRUMENTS.
Sole Agents for the
EAGLES METALLIC GALVANIC BATTERY.
The demand for this Battery is rapidly increasing, and it is
conceded by all who have used it to be the Best and moit Econo-
mical Battery, for telegraphic and other purposes, offered to the
public.
Descriptive Circulars and Price List forwarded upon applica-
tion to
F. L. POPE & CO.,
(P. O. Box 6503.) 38 VESEY STREET.
E
EAD THIS.
THE CHAMPION SETS
MAKE THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTFITS FOR
CITY WIRES OF TELEGRAPH COS.
Full sized, perfect in all respects, and more substantial than
any telegraph instruments ever before introduced.
PARTRICK, BUNNELL & CO.,
PHIL A DELPHI A.
R
EDUCTION OF PPJCES.
POPULAR, EXCELLENT and ECONOMICAL,
THE NONPAREIL
TELEGRAPH APPARATUS,
For AMATEURS, STUDENTS and SHOET LINES.
Since the introduction of this Pioneer Low Priced Telegraph In-
strument, a little over a year and a half since, nearly 2,000
have been sold, and they are constantly more and more sought
after.
Hereafter we shall furnish them at the following popular rates :
Single Instruments, including Three Cells Battery, Con-
necting Wire, Chemicals and Instruction Book $6 50
Two sets of Instruments, etc 12 00
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
[P. O. Box 5503.]
F. L. POPE & CO.,
38 Vesey Street, N. Y.
T3ARTRICK, BUNNELL & CO.,
38 SOUTH 4th ST., PHIL A.,
MANTJFACTUREES OP
UNRIVALLED MORSE INSTRUMENTS
CHAMPION LEARNERS' APPARATUS,
with Complete Instructions, Battery, Wire, etc.,
Q-I^JSTT SOTXnNnDDSIE^S,
Trrvproved Cvurved. JCeySj
Batteries and Supplies of every Description.
Send for Circulars and Catalogue.
D
R. L. BRADLEY,
No. 9 Exchange Place,
JERSEY CITY, N. J.,
Has discontinued the manufacture of Telegraph Instruments, and
is now giving special attention to the manufacture of his
UNIVERSAL APPARATUS
Electric Measurement,
Which consists of his Tangent Galvanometer and his Rheostat as
they have been recently improved, which, taken separately or
unitedly, constitute a means for correctly determining the resist-
ance of all conductors of electricity ; the resistance and insulation
of telegraph wires; the location of' breaks, faults, crosses, &e. ; the
relative specific resistance and conductivity of metals and other
conducting materials; the resistance and electro-motive force of
batteries; as well as the strength, quantity, or electro-chemical
equivalence of all currents of dinamic electricity. The capacities
of all other instruments for similar purposes combined, are em-
braced in this one. Its uieasureuion,ts are accurate and absolute,
and are easily read off in British Association units, without the
necessity of arithmetical calculations. It packs in a case seven
inches deep and nine inches diameter, with a handled strap, con-
venient for safe transportation. < 'onsidering the wide range of its
capacity, it is cheaper than any other Instruments.
Price of apparatus complete, is $200 to $280, according to style,
&c. Price, Tangent Galvanometers, $lo to $60.
Descriptive pamphlets may be had on application.
He also pays special attention to the manufacture of his
CELEBRATED HELICES
WHICH ARE OF
Naked Copper Wire,
So wound that the convolutions arc separated from each other by
a regular and uniform space of the 1-S00th of an inch, the layers
separated by thin paper. In Helices of silk insulated wire, the
space occupied by the Bilk is the L-160th to the l-800th of an inch;
therefore a spool made of a given length and size of naked wire
will be smaller and will contain many more convolutions around
the core than one of silk Insulated wire, and will make a propor-
tionally stronger magnet, while the resistance will be the some.
These Helices are now offered for the use of manufacturers of
Telegraphic and Electrical apparatus, and orders will be filled
promptly and on reasonable terms.
VI
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[February 21, 1814
^HE PERFECT BATTERY.
CLEANLINESS. CONSTANCY. ECONOMY.
LOOKWOOD BATTERY,
PATENTED APRIL 8, 1873,
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO., Sole Agents,
No. 8 Dey Street, N. Y.
This Battery has been in extended practical use for more than
a year, and is now acknowledged by leading Electricians
in this country and Europe to be
PAK SUPERIOR TO ALL OTHERS
for telegraphic purposes, or closed circuits of any description.
This Battery received the FIRST PREMIUM over
all competitors for
POWER, DURABILITY AND ECONOMY
at the
CINCINNATI INDUSTRIAL EXPOSITION OF 1873.
The size shown in the cut (No. 2), when charged with 5 lbs.
sulphate of copper per cell, is capable of working two or three
main circuits of average length for MORE THAN ONE YEAR,
without any attention whatever. The copper and zino solu-
tions are perfectly separated, and there is •
NO LOCAL ACTION,
and the circuit is absolutely untfobm at all times. It is
equally well adapted for a
LOCAL BATTERY,
or for any purpose requiring a uniform, powerful and constant
current.
The number 2 size (price $2.50) is now ready for sale. Other
styles are in preparation, and will soon be put on the market.
Send for Circular.
L.G. TILLOTSON & CO.
8 Dey Street, New York,
S O I_i IE AG-ENTS.
New York, Oct., 1873.
We have appointed Messrs. L. G. Tillotson & Co. Sole Agents
for the sale of the Lockwood Battery.
LOCKWOOD BATTERY CO.
W. H. Sawyeb, Secretary.
RTON'S PATENT PENCIL HOLDER.
TTTATTS & COMPANY,
47 Holliday Street,
BALTIMORE,
MANUFACTURERS OP
ELECTRICAL AND TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
AND
Material of Every Description,
RELAYS, KEYS, SOUNDERS, COMBINATION SETS, k, &c.
Nickel Plated Goods a Specialty.
A VERY SUPERIOR MAIN IINE SOUNDER,
ENTIRELY NEW.
SOLE MANUFACTURERS OF THE
PATENT CIRCUIT-CLOSER KEY,
Which has met with marked success.
"SATE THE PIECES."
This HOLDER is intended to save the last half or third of the
pencil.
DIRECTIONS.
When the pencil becomes too short to write with comfortably,
•have down the butt and screw into the Holder. The screw
makes its own thread, and will hold the pencil perfectly firm.
Price, 25 cents each.
Sent by mail on receipt of price.
Price per doz., $1.80.
Agents for towns, and counties wanted.
"GEO. H. BLISS & CO., Gen'l Agents,
41 Third ave., Chicago, HI.
^HE BEST TELEGRAPH MATERIAL
IN THE WORLD
IS StTPELIED BY
Price, $5.50 plain ; $7 nickel plated.
The following is from a competent judge, written after some
weeks' trial.
145 Broadway, New York, \
Sept. 22d, 1873. J
Dear Sir— Your circuit-closing attachment on the key, left
with me for trial, is pronounced by all who have used it a de-
cided and much needed improvement on the common form.
Respectfully,
A. S. Brown, Manager.
The Best Form of Battery Insulator Offered.
SIMPLE AND PERFECT.
Made of porcelain, handsome in appearanco. Occcupies little
more space than the cell it supports. Each cell of battery com-
pletely isolated. Leakage is reduced to the minimum by the
use of it.
General Superintendent Van Horn, Southern Division W. U.
Tel. Co., writes of it : _ ■ •
" We have now in use a thousand or fifteen hundred of your
battery insulators, and expect to order many more before the
close of the year. ...
We have never used any battery insulator that equals it in
any respect. In fact, it appears to be as near perfect as we can
reasonably expect, in a contrivance for that purpose."
Price 40 Cents.
We offer a very excellent article of Galvanized Wire, superior
to any in the market. The linemen on Baltimore and Ohio R.
R. say they have never seen its equal for toughness and
flexibility.
Special attention given to building.
Estimates given for any amount of material for telegraph
construction or extension.
SWITCHES, GALVANOMETERS, RESISTANCE COILS,
&c, to order.
Designs for Switch Boards for special service furnished.
SCOTT'S PATENT ANNUNCIATOR,
for Hotels and Residences.
CO.
L. G. TILLOTSON
8 Dey Street, New York,
MAtt UTAGTUKEES, DEALERS and IMPORTERS
or
TELEGRAPH MACHINERY, SUPPLIES
AND
Line Equipment of every Description
MATERIAL AND INSTRUMENTS
always on hand, for the equipment of lines of any length, at a
moment's notice.
We furnish first class goods at low prices. Liberal arrange-
ments made with Superintendents, Contractors and Builders
of Telegraph Lines.
Registers $38 00 to 345 00
Spring Registers 47 50
Relays 14 00 to 18 00
Sounders 3 60 to 7 50
Keys 4 00to 6 50
Main Line Sounders 14 00 to 18 00
Combination Sets 20 00 to 30 00
Galvanometers, $7 00 upward.
RATTLER TELEGRAPH SOUNDER, $3.50.
POCKET INSTRUMENTS, Nickel Plated, in Hard Rubber
Cases, Ijx2x5 inches.
CUT-OUTS, Plug, Peg or Button, with or without Lightning
Arresters, for one, two or more Lines.
JONES' PATENT LOCK SWITCHES, the best and cheapest in
use, with or without Lightning Arresters.
PEG or PIN, CULGAN, REPEATING, GROUND, LOCAL,
BATTERY and SINGLE BUTTON SWITCHES.
LIGHTNING ARRESTERS for any number of wires, of most
approved patterns.
ELECTRO-MAGNETS,
PERMANENT MAGNETS,
APPARATUS for STUDENTS and
AMATEUR TELEGRAPHERS
ELECTRIC MOTORS,
PRINTING and DIAL
INSTRUMENTS,
ELECTRICAL ANNUNCIATORS,
FIRE and BURGLAR ALARMS,
ELECTRO-MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS.
RHUMKORFF CODLS, from M to 10 inch spark.
GEISSLER'S TUBES, from $1.00 upwards
ELECTRICAL CALL AND ALARM BELLS in great variety,
from $6.50 upward.
INSTRUMENTS furnished Nickel Plated at 20 per cent, ad-
vance on List Price.
OFFICE WIRES, from 80c. to $1.25 per pound.
GUTTA-PERCHA COVERED WIRES, all sizes.
BISHOP'S NEW COMPOUND COVERED WIRE, for running
into oflices, 4c. per foot.
MAGNET WffiES, in Silk and Cotton, at Factory prices.
INSULATED WIRES for special purposes made to order.
SrLK COVERED SWITCH CORD, one, two or more conductors.
PATENT MESSAGE HOOKS, the best ever introduced, prices
65c. and 75c. per dozen.
MANIFOLD PAPER and AGATE STYLUS at bottom prices.
CABLES AND SUBMARINE WIRES.
REPAIRERS' TOOLS AND TOOL BAGS.
GLASS AND RUBBER WINDOW TUBES.
KENOSHA AND OTHER INSULATORS
OF EVERY DESCBIPTION.
BRACKETS. PINS AND SPIKES.
HILL, CALLAUD, GROVE, BUNSEN, CARBON, DANIELL8,
LECLANCHE, NITRO-CHROMIO AND OTHER
STYLES OF BATTERY IN ANY
QUANTITIES.
PURE CHEMICAOS AT LOWEST' PRICES.
SULPHATE OF COPPER A SPECIALTY, AND PRICES VERY
LOW.
CARBON PLATES made to order for Grenil, Smee, Stohrer and
other Batteries.
OFFICE FIXTURES AND BATTERY UTENSILS OF EVERY
DESCRIPTION.
"Smith's Manual of Telegraphy," .... 30 cents.
ALL STANDARD WORKS on ELECTRICITY & TELEGRAPHY.
SOLE AGENTS FOR
RICHARD JOHNSON & NEPHEW'S celebrated LINE WIRE.
Catalogue and JPrice List furnished upon application.
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
8 DET STREET, NEW YORK.
Vol X.
JVew York, Saturday, February 28, 187 4-
Whole JVo, 898
jpHARLES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
109 COURT STREET, BOSTON, MASS.,
MANUFACTURER OF
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
OP ALL KINDS,
GALVANIC BATTERIES,
JONES' PATENT LOCK SWITCH,
PATENT ELECTRIC G-ONG-S,
PRINTING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS.
ALSO, ON HAND AND FOR SALE,
D. W. PUTT & CO.'S Mechanical Telegraph
Instruments,
4t Pope's Modem Practice of the Electric Telegraph,"
AND A FULL ASSORTMENT OF
TELEGRAPH MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES,
AT THE LOWEST PRICES.
/CANADIAN TELEGRAPH SUPPLY
MANUFACTURING COMPANY,
MANUFACTURERS OF
AH kinds of Electrical Instruments
TELEGRAPH SUPPLIES.
All orders promptly filled, at reasonable prices.
Office and Factory,
352 and 354 KING STREET, WEST,
Toronto, Ont.
1TT7ESTERN ELECTRIC
MANUFACTURING COMPANY
FURNISH ALL DESCRIPTIONS OF
Copper Office and Magnet Wire,
OF OUR OWN MANUFACTURE,
WITH
EVERY VARIETY OF INSULATION,
FINE RESISTANCE WIRE and DOUBLE and
SINGLE CONNECTING CORD.
Western Electric Manufacturing Company,
CHICAGO.
/CHARLES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
***' (ESTABLISHED 1856,)
109 Court Street, Boston,
has for sale the various kinds of Office and Magnet Wires, In-
cluding Cotton Covered, Silk, Gutta Percha, Painted, Fancy, and
DAY'S KERITE COVERED WIRE.
EUGENE F. PHILLIPS,
MANUFACTURER OF
REED & PHILLIPS'
PATENT INSULATED TELEGRAPH WIRES,
(PATENTED, NOVEMBER 18TH, 1873.1
Lock bos 169. PROVIDENCE, R. I.
Having recently enlarged our factory, we are now prepared
to furnish at short notice any style and quantity of
BRAIDED LINEN or COTTON COVERED WIRE,
saturated and finished with our Patent Compound, which makes
the most durable, handsome and best insulated Braided Wire
manufactured.
PAINTED, PARAFFINE or SHELLAC WIRES
also furnished at the lowest prices. Iron or Compound Wires
covered upon reasonable terms.
We are also prepared to furnish a new style of
ELECTRIC CORDAGE,
which has been pronounced by all superior to any in the market.
The American District and Gold and Stock Telegraph Com-
panies have been supplied from my works with a greater
portion of the office wire used by them.
$3f Sample Card and Price List furnished when requested.
Phillips' Wire can be had of
L. G. Tillotson & Co ." New York.
Charles T. Chester "
F. L. Pope & Co "
W. HOCKHAUSEN "
Patrick Bunnell & Co Philadelphia,
Watts & Co Baltimore.
Charles Williams, Jr Boston.
Thomas Hall "
George H. Bliss & Co Chicago.
General Superintendent's Office,
American District Telegraph Co.,
New York, January 1st, 1874.
E. F. Phillips, Esq.
Dear Sir: Your office wire is a decided success. We have
used it exclusively for two years and consider it the best in the
market.
Respectfully,
W. H. SAWYER, Geu'l Sup't.
TOSEPH MOORE & SONS,
(Established 1820,)
535 & 537 CHINA STREET,
(Bolow Green St.,) PHILADELPHIA, Pa.,
MANUFACTURERS OF
INSULATED WIRES.
OFFICE WIRE— Plain, Braided, Prepared, &c.
INSTRUMENT WIRE— Cotton and Silk Covered, &c.
FLEXIBLE CORDS, all kinds, &c, &c.
We warrant all Wire to bo of the highest conductivity, tested
by our Galvanometer, which compares with the tests of the
highest authority in this country.
npiLLOTSON'S EXCELSIOR
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT.
(PATENTED JUNE 24, 1873.!
This apparatus is constructed of the best material, and finished
equal to any Telegraph Instrument, and is warranted first class
in every particular. It is especially adapted to the require-
ments of Students of Telegraphy and the operation of Private
Telegraph Lines.
Price, complete, Sounder and Key mounted on finely
finished Mahogany Base, with one Cell Hill's Patent
Battery, with Chemicals, eight feet of Office Wire, and
" Smith's Manual of Telegraphy" ". $7 50
Two sets H 50
Price of Sounder and Key only 6 50
" " " with Cut Out and Lightning
Arrester attached 7 50
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
No. 8 1>ET STREET, N. Y.
ARTRICK, BUNNELL & CO.,
OF PHILADELPHIA,
are daily in receipt of letters from everywhere, pronouncing
their
CHAMPION SETS
to be just what they are named,
"CHAMPIONS OVER ALL COMPETITORS,"
and really worth six to one, as serviceable and pretty instru-
ments, more than anything of the kind yet introduced.
AGENCIES WANTED.
CALLAUD BATTERIES
KEPT ON HAND. AND ORDERS FILLED BY
W. MITCHELL M°ALLISTER,
728 Chestnut Street. Philadelphia,
CHARLES WILLIAMS, Jr.,
109 Court Street, Boston,
AND BY THE
WESTERN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING 00.,
AGENTS FOR THE UNITED STATES.
220 East Kinzie Street, Chicago, III.
WALLACE & SONS,
MANUFACTURE!
URERS of
BRASS. COPPER & GERMAN SILVER WIRE.
Mho, BRASS, COPPER and GERMAN SILVER,
in the Roll aud Sheet.
Wo mako the manufacture of Electric Wire a specialty —
especially the finer sizes of Copper for conduction, and German
Silver for resistance purposes — guaranteeing the conductivity of
the same in every instauco to bo superior to that of any other
manufacturer in the market
WAREHOUSE,
89 Chamber Street, (V. Y.
MANUFACTORY,
Aiisonin. Conn.
11
THE TELEGRAPHER.
[February 28, 1814,
A LEXANDEK L. HAYES,
Late Assistant Examiner of Electrical and Telegraphic Apparatus,
U. S. Patent Office),
SOLICITOR OF PATENTS,
Ho. 17 PEMBERTON SQUARE,
{Room 12,)
BOSTON, MASS.
s
ECURITY MESSAGE H0OK.
PATENT APPLIED FOB.
The damage from the loss of a single message will equip a line
many times with our new Hoot, which gives great security.
Price 30 cents each.
" per dozen $3.00.
Liberal terms to the trade.
GEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
41 Third Avenue, Chicago, 111.,
General Agents.
s
ECOND-HAND RELAYS.
A large lot of well polished and good working Eelays for sale
very cheap ; also, several sets of
hi'ces b e p e a t e\b s ,
in perfect order, at a nominal price.
CEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
41 THIRD AVE., Chicago, 111.
TJUSSELLS' AMERICAN
"*-*' STEAM PRINTING HOUSE,
17, 19, 21, 23 EOSE STKEET, near FRANKFORT,
NEW YORK,
EXECUTES ALL DESCRIPTIONS OF
BOOK, JOB AND COMMERCIAL FEIMTrJG,
TELEGRAPH PRINTING A SPECIALTY.
rpHOS. CHALMERS' SONS,
"*- MANUFACTTJBEBS OF
ELECTRIC ANNUNCIATORS,
FOB
HOTELS, DWELLINGS, STEAMSHIPS, YACHTS,
etc., etc.,
AND ALL KINDS OF
ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS,
BELLS, BATTERIES, WIRE, etc.,
BURGLAR ALARMS, FIRE ALARMS,
79 YARICK STREET, NEW YORK.
A HAND-BOOK OF PRACTICAL TELE-
GRAPHY.
By R. S. CULLEY,
ENGINEER TO THE
ELECTRIC AND INTERNATIONAL
TELEGEAPH COMPANY.
Published with the sanction ot the Chairman and Directors of
the Electric and International Telegraph Company, and adopted
by the Department of Telegraphs for India.
FOURTH EDITION,
REVISED AND ENLARGED.
vol. 8vo, cloth $5 00.
Copies sent free by mail on receipt of price.
My new Catalogue of American and Foreign Scientific Books
eighty pages, 8vo, sent to any address on receipt of ten cents. '
D, VAN N0STRAND, Publisher, I
23 MURRA Y STREET, N Y.
rpHE AMATEUR'S
TELEGRAPH APPARATUS.
(Patented April 16th, 1872.)
This is a bona fide Telegraph Instrument, with a full sized
Trunnion Lever Key, with Friction Circuit Closer and a Pony
Sounder, both on same base.
The Battery used is Hill's Patent Gravity Battery, the most
constant and economical in use.
With each Instrument is furnished
ONE CUP OF BATTERY,
TWO YARDS OFFICE WIRE,
ONE PACKAGE BLUE VITRIOL,
ONE PACKAGE SULPHATE ZINC,
and a "Manual of the Telegraph," for the instruction of be-
ginners. This is a sufficient outfit for the student.
In operating a short line there will only be required, in
addition to the alove, more cups of battery, according to the
lenglh of line.
:<§>:
COMPLETE OUTFIT, WITH BATTERY, CHEMICALS
AND MANUAL,
Seven Dollars.
Sounder and Key only 6 00
" " with Cut-out and Lightning Arrester. .. 7 00
GEO. H. BLISS & CO.,
SOLE AGENTS,
41 THIRD AVENUE,
Chicago, HI.
SEND FOR CIRCULAR.
rpHE BISHOP GUTTA PERCH A WORKS >
422, 424, 426 EAST 25th ST., N. Y.
OHAFFNER'S
TELEGRAPH MANUAL.
TO TELEGRAPHISTS.
I am now revising my " TELEGEAPH MANUAL," and desire
to make the work complete in its description of the present
state of
TELECRAPHIC SCIENCE AND ART.
There are some Si& Hundred and Twenty-five Dlustra-
tions in the Edition of 1859, and the present coming Edition will
contain at least One Thousand, descriptive of the latest
improvements.
At present it is my design to iesue two Volumes, containing
about 600 pages each, separating the Historical from the Ope-
rative.
I will thank any one for information suitable for such a work.
Would like drawings and description of apparatuses.
Respectfully,
TAL, P. SHAFFNEE,
78 and 80 Broadway^
NEW YORK.
M
ODERN PRACTICE OF THE ELEC-
TRIC TELEGRAPH.
A EAND-BOOK
FOB
ELECTRICIANS AND OPERATORS.
By FRANK L. POPE.
Seventh Edition, Revised and Enlarged by the addition of 40
pages of New Matter on
RECENT IMPROVEMENTS,
AND
FULLY ILLUSTRATED.
6vo, cloth, • - - - - $8.00
4Sf Copies sent free by mail on receipt of price.
My new Catalogue of American and Foreign Scientific Books
sent per mail, on receipt of ten cents.
D. VAN NOSTRAND, Publisher,
23 MURRAY STREET and 27 WARREN STREET. I
S. BISHOP, Proprietor,
ONLY MANUFACTURER
OT
PURE GUTTA PERCHA GOOD
IN THE
UNITED STATES.
Has also on hand, and makes to order,
SUBMARINE CABLES, OFFICE CABLES, AND INSULATED"
WIRES OF EVERY VARIETY,
FOB
TELEGRAPH, UNDERGROUND AND ELECTRIC USE.
Fuse Wires, Leading and Connecting Wires for SUBMARINE'
and MINING PURPOSES.
Also, a NEW COMPOUND (thoroughly tested) for underground-
and out-door use.
Cotton, Linen, Silk and Fibre covered Wires for
MAGNET AND OFFICE USE,
of any pattern or style.
OFFICE WIRES,
Cotton and Gutta Percha covered, with any number of conductor*
required.
Gutta Percha and Cotton covered Wires for HOTEL ANNUN-
CIATORS, ELECTRIC BELLS and BURGLAR ALARMS.
Has on hand and makes to order
SUBMARINE CABLES, INSULATED WIRES, for
TELEGRAPH AND ELECTRIC USE,
AND FOB
BLASTING AND MINING PTTBPOSES,
In every variety desired.
As an Insulation for Telegraph Cables and Electric Conductors
Gutta Percha has been universally adopted by all scientific and
practical Electricians and Manufacturers of Telegraph Cables and'
Wires in this country and Europe, and has sustained, with in-
creasing superiority in the practical test of over twenty-five
years' general use.
The PROPRIETOR will guarantee, to all parties purchasing
SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH CABLES,
to make and deliver at Ms Factory any style of Cable. Insulated
with Gutta Percha, as low as they can impoet Cable of the same
style and quality, and in half the time required to import them.
CABLES OF ONE MILE OR LESS manufactured and de-
livered at one week's notice. '■
OBDEBS BECEIVED AT THE FACTOBY.
Messrs. L. G. TILLOTSON & CO.,
8 BEY STREET, NEW YORK,
have been appointed by me GENERAL AGENTS for the sale of
any Telegraph Cable or Wire manufactured at the Works In New.
York, at Factory Prices, delivered in New York.
JOHN TH0MLEY, 503 Chestnut St., Philadelphia,.
has been appointed Agent for the sale of any and all goods manu.
factured by me, at Factory Prices, delivered in New York.
Any Goods manufactured (except Telegraph Goods) are for-
sale in New York by
SARGENT & STUDLEY, 26 Park Place,
RUBBER CLOTHING CO.. 363 Broadway,.
D. H0DGMAN &C0..27 Maiden Lane,
SHEPARD & DUDLEY, 150 William St,
Address all Communications to
S. BISHOP,
OFFICE AT FACTORY. .
February 28, 1814]
THE TELEGRAPHER.
49
The Telegraphed
A. Journal of
ELECTRICAL PROGRESS.
J. N. ASHLEY,
PUBLISHER.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1874.
VOL. X.
WHOLE No. 398.
The Page Patent Litigation .—Answer of the
Manhattan Quotation Company.
The answer of the Manhattan Quotation Company
to the complaint in the suit of Priscilla Page, admin-
istratrix, etc., and the "Western Union Telegraph Com-
pany, which suit is intended to establish the validity
of the patent granted to Charles Grafton Page, and
subsequently, on the 10th day of October, 1872, reissued
to the plaintiffs, has been filed in the Circuit Court of
the United States for the Southern District of Few
York.
The answer admits the Act of Congress under which
the application of Prof. Page was made, and letters
patent issued to him, but denies that said Act of Con-
gress conferred any power, right or authority for issuing
said letters patent as issued, or that Page then, or at
auy time thereafter, was the original and first inventor
of certain new and useful improvements in induction
coil apparatus and circuit breakers, being the same
inventions and improvements which are more particu-
larly described in the said letters patent, or that the same
had not been known or in use by others at or prior to
the time of the alleged invention claimed to have been
made by Prof. Page, or that, by virtue of granting and
issuing of said letters patent, he became the owner of
said inventions and improvements, or thereby acquired
any exclusive rights and privileges, as set forth in the
complaint; but that, on the contrary, said inventions
and improvements were previously known and de-
scribed by divers fand sundry persons in one or more
printed publications and otherwise, and were described,
claimed and held by divers and sundry persons under
letters patent in this country and Great Britain ; for
which reasons defendant claims and insists that the
said letters patent, so issued to said Charles Grafton
Page, are null and void, and ask the Court to so de-
clare.
It is also denied that, by the assignment and transfer
by the said Priscilla W. Page, the Western Union Tele-
graph Company became the owner of or acquired any
interest in the improvements and inventions enume-
rated and described in said letters patent.
The defendant avers and will insist that the surren-
der of the original patent was not for any sufficient,
lawful or valid cause, nor for the reason that the speci-
fication attached to said first mentioned letters patent,
and forming a part thereof, was so defective or insuffi-
cient as to render them inoperative and invalid under
the statute in such case made and provided; and that
the Commissioner of Patents had no lawful jurisdiction
or authority to receive and cancel- the said letters
patent under said alleged surrender, nor to issue the
said reissued letters patent, dated October 10, 1871 ;
and denies that the said amended specification
attached to the said reissued letters patent is more full,
clear or exact than the original specification attached
to the original letters patent. And the defendant
states and insists that the said amended specification,
and the said reissued letters patent, include and con-
tain more and other matters than the improvements and
inventions described in the said surrendered letters
patent, or in the application of Prof. Page, on file in
the Patent Office on the 19th day of March, 1868, and
include new and additional matters, improvements and
inventions, more and other than was ever claimed to
have been discovered or invented by the said Page, and
that said amendments of said specifications were not
confined to remedying the defects therein, within the
meaning of the statute in such case made and provided,
and do not conform with the description, specification
or claims of inventions, improvements or discovery
(claimed to have been made) tff said Page, in his appli-
cation on file in the United States Patent, Office, March
19, 1868, and in the said letters patent of April 14, 1868^
but, on the contrary, important parts of said descrip-
tions and specifications, original, of said Charles Graf-
ton Page, are amended, modified and suppressed, with
intent to mislead, deceive and defraud, against the
statute in such cases made and provided; for which
good and sufficient reasons the defendant claims that
said reissued letters patent are and were null and void,
ab initio.
The answer specifically denies the statements of the
complaint of the plaintiffs of wrongful infringement of
the letters patent, and loss and damage arising there-
from.
And for a further and separate answer and defence
to the allegations of the complainants, the defendant
answers, upon information and belief, " That prior to the
19th day of March, 1868, and on the 2d day of Febru-
ary, 1854, the said Charles Grafton Page, claiming to
have invented aud made discovery of certain new and
useful improvements in induction coil apparatus and
in circuit breakers, made application for letters patent
therefor lo the Commissioners of Patents of the United
States Patent Office, and which said application was
on February 23d, 1854, rejected and denied by said
Commissioner of Patents, upon the ground and for the
reason assigned, that said Charles Grafton Page was
then an Examiner of Patents in the United Slates
Patent Office, and thereby, under the law in such cases
made and provided, disqualified of the right of receiv-
ing and obtaining letters patent of the United States ;
and also for the further reason assigned, that said
Charles Grafton Page, prior to holding such position
of Examiner of Patents, and a long time subsequent
to the time of the alleged inventions for which he
then made application for letters patent, had made
known and abandoned to public use the said improve-
ments and inventions by him claimed to have been made
as aforesaid, and that the same or material parts
thereof had been long known and in public use with
his knowledge and consent."
The defendant further states that, under the Act of
Congress by which the disabilities of said Page were
removed, and he was authorized to apply for and re-
ceived a patent, he did renew his said application " for
letters patent for his induction apparatus and circuit
breakers," then "on file in the United States Patent
Office, including therewith bis circuit breakers described
by him prior to said application," and that subsequently
said Page amended his application, then on file as afore-
said, as follows :
Washington, March 31, 1868.
Hon. A. M. Stout,
Acting Commissioner of Patents. .
Sir — I desire to amend my application for letters
patent for the induction coil and circuit breakers,
now pending before the Patent Office, as follows, to
wit:
Before claim first insert as follows :
The spark arresting circuit breakers may all be used
as independent or detached circuit breakers, and these,
and likewise all the independent electro-magnetic in-
struments hitherto used aud described by me, for
opening and closing circuit with other instruments,
may be operated by batteries separate and independent
from the batteries which operate the circuits to be
opened and closed. In fact, this often becomes neces-
sary when the circuits of the two instruments are
largely disproportioned in length.
In using, for instance, the electro-magnetic circuit
breaker called Barlow's spur-wheel, described by me in
Yolume XXXI, page 141 of Silliman's Journal, it
becomes much more efficient when used with a separate
battery.
Insert, after claim 13, as follows:
The employment of one electro-magnetic instrument
to open and close the circuit of another electro-magnetic
instrument, using either one battery for both or sepa-
rate batteries for each, substantially as set forth.
The employment of separate and independent bat-
teries to operate an electro-magnetic circuit breaker
and the circuit which is broken by it, substantially as
set forth. Charles G. Page.
That subsequently the Commissioner of Patents issued
to the said Page the letters patent of the United
States, numbered 76,654, bearing date April 14, 1868,
and which said letters patent were not issued upon
the said application, on file at the date of approval 
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